World Pneumonia Day!!!

Every year on 12 November, World
Pneumonia Day is celebrated across the
globe to raise awareness about pneumonia;
promote interventions to protect against,
prevent and treat pneumonia; and generate
action to combat pneumonia. Pneumonia is
an infection in one or both of the lungs.
It is a form of acute respiratory infection
that affects the lungs, making breathing
painful and limiting oxygen intake.
Pneumonia has many possible causes. The
most common are bacteria and viruses in
the air we breathe. Your body usually
prevents these germs from infecting your
lungs. But sometimes these germs can
overpower your immune system, even if
your health is generally good.
Pneumonia can affect anyone but the two
age groups at highest risk are:
Infants and children younger than age 2
years, because their immune systems are
still developing
People older than age 65
Other risk factors include
People who have had a recent viral
infection - such as a cold or flu, Smokers,
People with chronic lung conditions,
People with suppressed immune systems
People who drink excessive alcohol,
Patients in hospital People who have had
strokes
The Symptoms of pneumonia vary from
mild to severe. Most people who develop
pneumonia initially have a viral infection
such as a cold or ‘flu, which produces
symptoms such as headache, muscle aches
and fever. If pneumonia develops,
symptoms commonly include high fever,
shaking chills, cough with phlegm that
doesn't improve or gets worse, and
shortness of breath with normal daily
activities, chest pain when you breathe or
cough.
In babies and children, symptoms may be
less specific and they may not show clear
signs of a chest infection. Commonly they
will have a high fever, appear very unwell,
and become lethargic. They may also have
noisy or ratty breathing, have difficulty with
feeding and make a grunting sound with
breathing.
Pneumonia prevention and treatment is
possible, and can save millions of lives
• Practice good hygiene. To protect yourself
against ordinary respiratory infections that
sometimes lead to pneumonia, wash your
hands regularly or use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer.
• Don't smoke. Smoking damages your
lungs' natural defenses against respiratory
infections.
• Stay rested and fit. Proper rest, a healthy
diet and moderate exercise can help keep
your immune system strong.
• Ensure that children have adequate
nutrition, including exclusive breastfeeding
during the first six months of life, can help
protect them from pneumonia.
• Set an example. Stay home when you're
sick. When you're in public and have a cold,
catch your coughs and sneezes in the inner
crook of your elbow.
• Early diagnosis of pneumonia ensures
that children receive early and appropriate
medical care.
• The use of vaccines against
pneumococcus, and other diseases can
help prevent pneumonia before it occurs.
• Reduce environmental risk factors, such
as overcrowding in homes, exposure to
tobacco smoke and indoor air pollution are
also important protective measures.
Treatment options are dependent on the
type of pneumonia―viral or bacterial―with
which a person is infected.

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