WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY '22

WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY '22- Why Pneumonia day is marked? Pneumonia- Causes, Transmission, Symptoms, and Prevention.

By, John Felix, Prabakaran, Santhoshkumar. S.G, Karthick Kumar

World Pneumonia Day was marked on 12th November of every year to provide awareness among the public and healthcare workers.

The day was established by the “Stop Pneumonia” Initiative in 2009 with the objectives to raise awareness and advocate for global action. Pneumonia is a deadly but preventable disease. There are affordable prevention options available to treat the deadly disease.

According to World Health Organization, pneumonia killed 170,180 children under the age of 5 in 2019.

"Pneumonia affects children and families everywhere, but deaths are highest in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Pneumonia can be prevented with simple interventions, children can be protected from pneumonia,  and it can be treated with low-cost, low-tech medication and care," WHO said.

DEFINITION

Inflammation and consolidation of lung tissue due to an infectious agent. Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs.

• Pneumonia causes inflammation in the alveoli.

• The alveoli are filled with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.

CONSOLIDATION: 

Inflammatory induration of a normally aerated lung due to the presence of cellular exudative in alveoli

How does Pneumonia develop?

• Most of the time, the body filters organisms.

• This keeps the lungs from becoming infected.

• But organisms sometimes enter the lungs and cause infections.

• This is more likely to occur when:

1. Immune system is weak
2. Organism is very strong
3. Body fails to filter the organism

FACTORS:

• Advanced age.

• History of smoking.

• Upper respiratory infection.

• Tracheal intubation.

• Prolonged immobility.

• Immunosuppressive therapy.

• Nonfunctional immune system.

• Malnutrition.

• Dehydration.

• Chronic disease state. Cigarette smoking Recent viral respiratory infection (common cold, laryngitis, influenza)

• Difficulty swallowing (due to stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, or other neurological conditions)

• Chronic lung disease (COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis)

• Cerebral palsy

• Other serious illnesses, such as heart

• Disease, liver cirrhosis, /diabetes mellitus

• Exposure to air pollution.

• Altered consciousness (Alcoholism, Drug

• Overdose, General anesthesia, Seizure disorder)

• Inhalation of noxious substances.

• Residing in Institutional settings. Living in a nursing facility

• Impaired consciousness (loss of brain function due to dementia, stroke, or other neurologic conditions)

• Recent surgery or trauma

• Immune system problem

TRANSMISSION:

Transmission of pneumonia can occur in many ways. One such way is transmission through inhalation. Inhalation of bacteria and viruses that can be commonly found in a child's nose can also cause pneumonia.

Sneeze and cough droplets can spread through the air which when inhaled can cause pneumonia

Transmission through blood, mainly during birth or after birth has also been found to be involved with pneumonia.

SYMPTOMS:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating, and shaking chills
• Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you're coughing up the pus.

PREVENTION:

Adhere to timely vaccination, various adult vaccines like influenza and pneumococcal are proven to be successful.

With the pandemic going on ensuring adequate vaccination for COVID-19 is mandatory.

Other lifestyle modifications

• Abstinence from smoking and drinking,
• Adequate nutrition,
• Routine physical activity,
• Avoiding overcrowding,
• Maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels among diabetic patients