Championing the Fight to Stop Pneumonia
It is not very common for us to get to know the cause of the death of an older adult, being congestion in the chest or Pneumonia. One may wonder why it is such a fatal disease. Yes, Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs, limiting oxygen intake. Recognising the need for urgent action, in 2009, the UN declared the observation of World Pneumonia Day on 12 Novemberevery year. Pneumonia is a lung infection. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi cause it. Diagnosing early and providing treatment would enhance the outcomes. Pneumonia has a significant impact globally, with higher prevalence in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like India, China, and Pakistan bear the greatest burden of the disease. It is Preventable and Treatable. Vaccines and timely treatment can prevent most cases of Pneumonia. There is an urgent need to combat Pneumonia through timely detection, effective treatment, and preventative measures. Every Breath Counts: Stop Pneumonia in Its Track.
Bring Life to those Fighting for Breath
It is not very common for us to get to know the cause of the death of an older adult, being congestion in the chest or Pneumonia. One may wonder why it is such a fatal disease. Yes, Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs, limiting oxygen intake. It is responsible for a significant number of deaths. Recognising the need for urgent action, in 2009, the UN declared the observation of World Pneumonia Day on 12 Novemberevery year. It aims to raise global awareness and appeal to governments to take preventive measures.
Pneumonia is a lung infection. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi cause it. The impact can be mild to severe and often life-threatening. Infants, older people, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable. If you are looking for symptoms of Pneumonia, all of us would have experienced them at one time or another. The common symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, symptoms like confusion and low blood pressure also may occur. Diagnosing early and providing treatment would enhance the outcomes.
Pneumonia has a significant impact globally, with higher prevalence in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like India, China, and Pakistan bear the greatest burden of the disease. Major risk factors that lead to Pneumonia are low birth weight, under-nutrition, indoor air pollution, overcrowding, and lack of measles immunisation. Â
In 2021, Pneumonia claimed the lives of 2.2 million, almost 23% of them being children. The very young and the very old are at significant risk. Globally, nearly one in five child deaths result from Pneumonia every year. On average, it alone kills more children than the combined mortality rate caused by AIDS, measles, and malaria. Children less than 5 years of age and adults higher than 70 years contribute to 75% of pneumonia deaths. Public Health organisations caution that it is likely the fatalities are likely to rise significantly. They remind the world of the importance of preventive measures and timely medical intervention.
The incidence and fatality rate is high in India, though there are indications that the fatality rate has come down (~0.38%). India accounts for about 23% of the global pneumonia burden in young children. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have the highest Pneumonia and fatality rates.
It is Preventable and Treatable.
Pneumonia is preventable through vaccination. The primary vaccines used are the pneumococcal and the very effective influenza vaccines. It is Preventable and Treatable. Vaccines and timely treatment can prevent most cases of Pneumonia.
There is an urgent need to combat Pneumonia through timely detection, effective treatment, and preventative measures.
Every Breath Counts: Stop Pneumonia in Its Track.
Toons: Reema
Logs: M Sai Baba
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