World Pneumonia Day - What is it, Causes, Transmission, Symptoms, and Treatment

World Pneumonia Day

1. When is World Pneumonia Day and Why We Celebrate It?

The 12th of November is World Pneumonia Day, which is dedicated to raising awareness among people about the importance of standing together and demanding action in the fight against such disease. As the world's leading infectious killer of children and adults, pneumonia claims millions of lives each year.

More children die from it than from AIDS, measles, and malaria combined. As a result of low oxygen levels in the lungs, we realize how important it is for our bodies to have adequate oxygen - and make lung health a global concern.

2. What is the Aim of World Pneumonia Day?

World Pneumonia Day, first observed in 2009, is observed annually on November 12th with the aim to -
 
  • Spread awareness regarding pneumonia, the leading cause of death in children below the age of five worldwide.
  • Encourage intervention strategies to defend against, prevent, and treat pneumonia; and Implement pneumonia-fighting action.
The Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia, which includes over 140 NGOs, academic institutions, government agencies, and foundations, leads World Pneumonia Day. Pneumonia is among the most treatable diseases in the world, yet a child dies from it every 20 seconds. We can win the fight against pneumonia if we all work together.

3. Significance of World Pneumonia Day

The flu-like symptoms of pneumonia can quickly develop into a life-threatening illness, and there are currently only a few genuine treatment options. International health bodies will only start taking this matter seriously and stop neglecting it through our combined efforts.

There is a lack of awareness about the importance of treating Pneumonia at an early stage of the illness. Knowing the root cause of the disease is as important as treating it. For treatment, different antibiotic combinations are available, and also vaccinations for prevention, but the average person needs to have access to these options.

It is the upcoming generations who will shape our future. For the sake of our children, if not for ourselves, then for them, we must make the commitment to prevent this disease from affecting our kids. As a result of our efforts today, future treatment options for this disease will be improved.

4. What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that is caused by an acute respiratory infection. When a healthy person breathes, small sacs called alveoli fill with air. When a person has pneumonia, the alveoli become infected with pus and fluid, making breathing difficult and limiting oxygen intake.

Pneumonia is a condition that led to inflammation in the air sacs of one or both lungs. The air sacs may become clogged with fluid or pus, resulting in phlegm or pus cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are among the organisms that can cause pneumonia.

Pneumonia can range in severity from mild to fatal. It is especially dangerous for infants and young children, people over the age of 65, and those who have health problems or weakened immune systems. Pneumonia affects children and families worldwide, but South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest death rates. Pneumonia can be prevented in children, and it can be treated with low-cost, low-tech medication and care.

5. How Pneumonia Spread/ Transmission of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can be transmitted/spread in several ways. If viruses or bacteria found in a child's nose or throat are inhaled, they can infect the lungs. They can also spread through droplets in the air from a cough or sneeze. Furthermore, pneumonia can spread through blood, particularly during and immediately after birth. More research is needed on the pathogens that cause pneumonia and how they are transmitted, as this is critical for treatment and prevention.

6. What are the Risk Factors of Pneumonia?

Although most healthy children can battle the infection with their defense mechanisms, children with weakened immune systems are more likely to contract pneumonia. Malnutrition or undernourishment may weaken a child's immune system, particularly in infants that are not breastfed.

Diseases, like symptomatic HIV infections and measles, furthermore raise a child's chances of contracting pneumonia. A child's susceptibility to pneumonia is also increased by the following environmental factors:
 
  • Cooking and heating with biomass fuels contribute to indoor air pollution (such as wood or dung).
  • Living in overcrowded households
  • Cigarette smoking by parents
7. What Causes Pneumonia?

Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common cause of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Normally, your body keeps these germs from infecting your lungs. However, even if your health is generally good, these germs can occasionally overwhelm your immune system. Pneumonia is classified based on the germs that cause it and where the infection occurred.

Community-acquired Pneumonia: Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type. It happens outside of hospitals or other health-care settings. It could be the result of:
 
  • Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in humans. This type of pneumonia can occur as a result of a cold or flu. Lobar pneumonia occurs when it affects only one lobe of the lung.
  • Bacteria-like organisms: Mycoplasma pneumoniae may also cause pneumonia. It typically produces milder symptoms than other kinds of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is an informal term for this type of pneumonia, which is usually mild and does not require bed rest.
  • Fungi: Persons with chronic health issues or weakened immune systems are more likely to develop this type of pneumonia, as are those who have inhaled large doses of the organisms. It is caused by fungi that can be found in soil or bird droppings and varies depending on geographical location.
  • Viruses: Some viruses that cause colds and influenza can also cause pneumonia. In children under the age of five, viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is usually mild. It can, however, be fatal in some cases. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to severe pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired Pneumonia: Several people contract pneumonia while in the hospital for another reason. Because the bacteria that cause it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick, hospital-acquired pneumonia can be dangerous. People on breathing machines (ventilators), which are commonly used in intensive care units, are more vulnerable to this type of pneumonia.

Aspiration Pneumonia: Aspiration pneumonia develops when you inhale food, drink, vomit, or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if you have a brain injury or a swallowing problem, or if you use alcohol or drugs excessively.

Health care-acquired Pneumonia: The term "health-care-acquired pneumonia" refers to a bacterial infection that affects people who live in long-term care facilities or receive care in outpatient clinics such as kidney dialysis centers. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause health-care-acquired pneumonia, just as they can cause hospital-acquired pneumonia.

8. Prevention of Pneumonia

Vaccines are available to protect against certain types of pneumonia and influenza. Discuss this with your doctor. Vaccination guidelines have changed over time, so consult your doctor about your vaccination status, even if you recall receiving a pneumonia vaccine in the past.

Doctors recommend a different pneumonia vaccine for children under the age of two, as well as those between the ages of two and five who are at high risk of pneumococcal disease. The vaccine should also be given to children who attend a group child care center. Flu shots are also recommended for children over the age of six months, according to doctors.

Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to protect yourself from respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia.

Do not smoke because it weakens your lungs' natural defenses against respiratory infections.

Maintain a healthy immune system by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet.

9. Pneumonia Treatment

Antibiotics should be used to treat pneumonia. The antibiotic of selection for the fast recovery is amoxicillin dispersible tablets. Most cases of pneumonia necessitate the administration of oral antibiotics, which are frequently prescribed at a health center. These cases can also be diagnosed and treated in the community by trained community health workers using low-cost oral antibiotics. Only severe cases of pneumonia should be hospitalized.


World Pneumonia Day   what is Pneumonia   Causes of Pneumonia   Pneumonia Transmission   Symptoms of Pneumonia   Pneumonia Treatment   Risk Factors of Pneumonia   Prevention of Pneumonia   Pneumonia Spread  


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