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Pneumonia is a lung disease widespread throughout the world. Still, there is not much awareness about pneumonia among the people.
What is pneumonia after all?
“Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, virus or fungus,” says Dr K, consultant pulmonologist, Cauvery Hospital, Trichy. Ramasubramaniam says. According to him, pneumonia will cause swelling of your lung tissue and fluid or pus may accumulate in your lungs.
Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs. Pneumonia may be caused by bacterial or viral respiratory pathogens. The former, however, is more serious than the latter, and can sometimes heal on its own. Read this also Are you ignoring these symptoms of viral pneumonia? Here are the vaccines that can help protect your lungs
Classification of pneumonia
Pneumonia is classified depending on how a person gets it. When you get pneumonia outside a health care facility, it is called community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of CAP. Viruses that cause the common cold, flu, COVID-19, and RSV, and sometimes fungi such as Cryptococcus, can also cause CAP. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is another category that occurs during a hospital stay for another illness. “It is more serious than CAP because it is mostly caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. CAP is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is the most common infectious cause of death, claiming millions of lives each year.
What do the figures say?
According to the Global Burden of Disease, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) killed 2.2 million people in 2021, including 502,000 children under five years of age. It is not surprising that most deaths occur in the poorest populations of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to medical facilities and quality treatment is a barrier.
Who is at greater risk of getting pneumonia?
People above 65 years of age, suffering from diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, malnutrition, HIV and those exposed to air pollution and smoking are at higher risk of developing pneumonia. – Low vaccination rates and lack of breastfeeding are additional risks. One should not forget that respiratory pathogens spread from person to person through droplets. After inhalation, the pathogen will settle in the nasopharynx, and then reach the lung through microaspiration, damaging the lung in the process, resulting in pneumonia. Read this also Pneumonia in Children’s Lungs: Early Symptoms in Children, Treatment Strategies for Recovery
Pneumonia: signs and symptoms
Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, phlegm, difficulty breathing, fever, chest pain, fatigue/weakness, altered mental status, hypotension, and multi-organ dysfunction. People with severe forms of pneumonia and those with multiple co-morbidities will require hospital-based treatment in which antibiotics and antivirals play a key role.
preventive measures
Vaccination, smoking cessation, avoiding indoor and outdoor pollution, healthy diet and regular physical activity are essential for adults and children to avoid pneumonia. Most pneumonia occurs during the winter season. Therefore, it is advisable to take a vaccine that protects us from seasonal infections. In this way, we can prevent viral pneumonia and post viral secondary infections. Dr. Ramasubramaniam cautions, “One must remember that pneumonia is a highly contagious disease. When it does occur, it is important to follow a strict hygiene regimen to prevent its spread.”
cleanliness matters
This means washing hands with soap and water before eating, touching food and after using the toilet. The person should also avoid close contact with others and sharing items.
Every breath matters; Stop pneumonia in its tracks
World Pneumonia Day is celebrated every year on 12 November. The theme of this year’s World Pneumonia Day is ‘Every breath counts;’ Stop pneumonia in its original form.
Awareness – need of the hour
So, let’s create awareness by spreading the message and educating people about pneumonia, which can prove fatal in the absence of early detection and proper treatment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
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