WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY 2019- PREVENT PNEUMONIA

Every year, World Pneumonia Day is held on November 12 to spread awareness about pneumonia, promote prevention and treatment, and take action to fight the illness.

On this day, people are asked to help fight the disease by participating in education programs, voluntary activity or contributing via donations.

Today, Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in kids under five years. It is a kind of chest infection that adversely affects the lungs. Lungs hold small sacs that fill with air when we breathe. If someone gets pneumonia, his alveoli are filled with fluid and puss that cause breathing painful.

People who are living in poor communities are at higher risk. Data says that nearly one in five children dies from pneumonia every year on the global level.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA

The symptoms depend on the child's age and also the precise cause of the infection. Here is the list of some common signs of pneumonia:

• Rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing

• Cough

• Vomiting

• Chest pain

• Abdominal pain

• Decreased activity

• Loss of appetite (older children)

So these are some general symptoms of pneumonia. Besides, in extreme cases, bluish or gray lips and fingernails can also be noticed. Although cough is a very common sign, not every child with pneumonia will have much of a cough – sometimes, one can suffer from high temperature and rapid breathing.

PREVENTION

Pneumonia is a lung infection that becomes life-threatening. The infection can be viral, bacterial or fungal.

The best way to treating pneumonia and prevent it from getting fatal is diagnosis at the early state and a relatively strong immune system. Individuals must be vaccinated against Hib, pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough. Also keep in mind those young children who are weak due to malnutrition, are mainly hit by pneumonia.

As per the research report, between 2011 and 2020 world's 73 countries saved more than 2.9 million lives, prevented 52 million cases of illness, and saved $51 billion in treatment costs and productivity loses.

Work to cut indoor air pollution and implement water, sanitation and hygiene to prevent pneumonia.

Although oral antibiotics and hospitalization have been proved as an effective solution to treat pneumonia, diagnosing pneumonia in small kids and treating is very challenging; doctors get it tough to distinguish it from other illnesses, like malaria.

Bottom Line

Apart from treatment, vaccination and other preventive methods, make some affords at home to make your child recover quickly.

If you child has been prescribed antibiotics, make sure he is taking medicine at the right time and help him to complete the course. It will not only support him to recover quickly but also reduce the possibility of the infection spreading to other members of the family. 

Talk to the doctor and ask him how you can support the child and get rid of the sufferings.

Stop Pneumonia and Save A Child on this World Pneumonia Day!