Pneumonia accounts for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years old, killing 808 694 children in 2017, reads the stats by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Therefore, every year to create awareness about the same, World Pneumonia Day is observed on 12th November. The main aim is to protect, prevent and effectively treat this fatal condition. Specifically in the current situation, while the world is under a global pandemic, the risk of pneumonia has increased.
What Is Pneumonia?
WHO explains pneumonia as a form of an acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when a healthy person breathes. When an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.
Furthermore, the organisation states that pneumonia is caused by a number of infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. The most common are:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae – the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children;
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia;
- Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common viral cause of pneumonia;
- In infants infected with HIV, Pneumocystis jiroveci is one of the most common causes of pneumonia, responsible for at least one-quarter of all pneumonia deaths in HIV-infected infants.
Can It Be Transmitted?
Yes. Pneumonia can be transmitted in a number of ways. WHO states that The viruses and bacteria that are commonly found in a child's nose or throat, can infect the lungs if they are inhaled. They may also spread via air-borne droplets from a cough or sneeze. In addition, pneumonia may spread through blood, especially during and shortly after birth.
What Are The Symptoms?
Symptoms may vary according to viral or bacterial infection. However, some of the symptoms may include:
- Coughing with phlegm
- Sweat and chills
- Chest pain, especially while breathing or coughing
- Fever
- Vomiting and nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
WHO explains that in children under 5 years of age, who have a cough and/or difficult breathing, with or without fever, pneumonia is diagnosed by the presence of either fast breathing or lower chest wall indrawing where their chest moves in or retracts during inhalation (in a healthy person, the chest expands during inhalation). Wheezing is more common in viral infections. Very severely ill infants may be unable to feed or drink and may also experience unconsciousness, hypothermia and convulsions.
How To Prevent?
Treatment of pneumonia depends on the type one is suffering from, age, the severity of symptoms and other health-related conditions. It can be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs and the symptoms can be managed. An adequate amount of rest, fluids, nutrition is necessary. Some types of pneumonia can also be prevented with the help of vaccines. You must also practice good hygiene, avoid smoking and have a stronger immune system.
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) along with other organisations has been working towards protecting, preventing and treating pneumonia at the community level. The National Health Portal (NHP) of India states the various activities included under the child health programme, which is:
Protect
Protect children from pneumonia by promoting good health practices from birth by:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months
- Adequate complementary feeding
- Vitamin A supplementation
Prevent
Prevent children from becoming ill from pneumonia and diarrhoea by:
- Providing vaccination against diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), measles, haemophilus influenzae type B infections (Hib), pneumococcal (PCV) and rotavirus infections (Universal Immunisation Programme))
- Encouraging handwashing with soap and water
- Provision of safe drinking water and sanitation
- Reduction in household air pollution (use of safe fuel for cooking in the household)
- HIV prevention and antibiotic prophylaxis for HIV-infected and exposed children
Treat
Treat children with appropriate treatment with timely access to trained health care providers either from a community-based health worker or in a health facility if the disease is severe and can get the antibiotics and oxygen they need to get well.
