Pneumonia

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a disease that can be prevented and treated, yet it causes the deaths of more than 900,000 children worldwide. According to data from 2015, it is the infectious disease that claims the most lives of children under the age of five. Other deadly infectious diseases in this age group include malaria, meningitis, and HIV/AIDS.

 

Pneumonia is caused by viral and bacterial infections, with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium being one of the culprits. It is also a dangerous pathogen that can cause other severe illnesses such as meningitis and sepsis. It is crucial to consult a doctor for advice on how to strengthen your immune system and protect yourself from this disease.

 

The symptoms of pneumonia include fever, cough, chills, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. If these symptoms persist for more than three days, and the cough becomes severe and prolonged, it is essential to seek medical attention. In severe cases, pneumonia can cause abscesses in the lung tissue, chest pain, low blood pressure, and even death.

 

Preventing pneumonia:

 

To prevent pneumonia, it is recommended that infants be breastfed during the first six months of life, drink an adequate amount of water, wash their hands frequently, and seek medical advice for additional guidance on strengthening the immune system against pneumonia.

 

It is also recommended that families of children become familiar with the danger signs of pneumonia and promptly seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

 

You may be at risk of contracting pneumonia from the pneumococcus bacterium if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

 

  • Being 65 years of age or older
  • Having chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease
  • Having asthma
  • Having diabetes
  • Being an organ transplant recipient
  • Being HIV-positive
  • Having cancer
  • Having muscle weakness or paralysis
  • Wearing a hearing aid
  • Having cerebrospinal fluid leakage
  • Smoking
  • Having chronic alcoholism

 

Please consult a physician for advice on how to strengthen your immune system.

 

Wish best wishes, Vibhavadi Hospital

 

Reference:

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Disease/Transmission and Those at High Risk. 2013. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/pneumoccol/about/risk-transmission.html [cited 6 June 2015].