World Pneumonia Day: What to know
Pneumonia killed more than 808 000 children under the age of five in 2017, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under five years.
WORLD Pneumonia Day, observed each year on November 12, aims to raise awareness and promote global action to curb the deadly illness.
Pneumonia is a form of respiratory infection that can be caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus in one or both lungs, causing a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
Its seriousness is more prevalent in infants and young children, people older than 65, and people with pre-existing health problems or compromised immune systems.
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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pneumonia can cause mild to life-threatening illness in people of all ages, however, it is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide.
“Pneumonia killed more than 808 000 children under the age of five in 2017, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under five years,” they said.
Although the disease is deadly, there are treatments and preventative measures that can help against it.
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Symptoms
Depending on the extremity of the pneumonia, symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Confusion, especially in older adults
Treatment
Most cases of pneumonia can be treated with oral antibiotics, if it is bacterial. This can be prescribed at a healthcare facility by a trained community health worker. Hospitalisation is recommended only for more severe cases of pneumonia.
Pneumonia can be prevented by:
- Vaccinating against the disease
- Addressing environmental factors – reducing indoor air pollution
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle – following a healthy diet, exercising regularly
- Washing of hands.
