Trichy , 9th December 2024 : Pneumonia is a widespread lung
disease across the world. Yet, awareness about pneumonia among masses is not
much.
What is pneumonia, after all?
“Pneumonia
is an infection in your lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or
fungi,” says Consultant Pulmonologist Dr.K.Ramasubramaniam, Pulmonologist at
Kauvery Hospital, Trichy. Pneumonia, according to him, will cause your lung
tissue to swell, and can lead to the collection of fluid or pus in your
lungs.
Pneumonia
can affect one or both lungs. Pneumonia can be caused by bacterial or
viral respiratory pathogens. The former, however, is more severe than the
latter, and may resolve on its own at times.
Categorising Pneumonia
Pneumonia
is categorized based on how one acquires it. When you get pneumonia
outside of a healthcare facility, it is called community-acquired pneumonia
(CAP). Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria is the most common
cause of CAP. Viruses that cause common cold, flu, Covid- 19 and RSV, and
sometimes fungi like Cryptococcus can also lead to CAP. Hospital-acquired
pneumonia (HAP) is another category that one gets while in hospital for another
illness. “It is more serious than CAP since it is caused mostly by
antibiotic-resistant bacteria. CAP is the leading cause of morbidity and
mortality worldwide and the most common infectious cause of death which claims
millions of lives each year.
What do statistics say?
Community-acquired pneumonia
(CAP) claimed 2.2 million lives, including 502,000 children under five in 2021
according to the Global Burden of Disease. It is not surprising that most
deaths occur in the poorest populations in the low and middle income countries
(LMICs) where access to medical facilities and quality treatments are a
constraint.
Who is at higher risk of getting pneumonia?
People
above 65, those suffering from diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, malnutrition,
HIV and those who are exposed to air pollution and smoke are at higher risk of
contracting pneumonia.- Low vaccination rates and lack of breastfeeding are
additional risks. One should not forget that respiratory pathogens are
transmitted from person to person via droplets.
Following inhalation, the pathogen will colonize the nasopharynx, and
then reach the lung via microaspiration, damaging the lung in the process,
resulting in pneumonia.
Pneumonia: Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms
of pneumonia include cough, sputum, breathing difficulty, fever, chest pain,
fatigue/weakness, altered mental status, hypotension and multi-organ
dysfunction. Those suffering from a severe form of pneumonia and those with
multiple comorbidities will require hospital-based treatment in which
antibiotics and antivirals play a pivotal role.
Preventive Measures
Vaccination
for adults and children, stopping smoking, avoiding indoor and outdoor
pollution, healthy diet, and regular physical activity are necessary to escape
from the grip of pneumonia. Majority of pneumonia happens during winter.
So, it is advisable to take a vaccine that will protect us from seasonal
infections. This way, we can prevent viral pneumonia and post viral secondary
infection. “One should remember that pneumonia is a highly contagious disease.
This being so, it is important to follow a strict hygiene regimen to prevent
its spread,” cautions Dr.Ramasubramaniam.
Hygiene Matters
It means that one should wash
hands with soap and water before eating, before handling food and after using
the restroom. One should also avoid close contact and sharing items with
others.
Every Breath Counts; Stop Pneumonia in Its Track
World Pneumonia Day is
observed on November 12 every year. This year, the theme of World Pneumonia
Day is ‘Every Breath Counts; Stop Pneumonia in Its Tracks.’
Awareness – Need of the Hour
So, let us create awareness
by spreading the message and educating people about pneumonia, which can prove
fatal in the absence of early detection and proper treatment.