It is important for the elderly to increase the body’s immunity.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA — Pneumonia is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs. This disease can affect anyone, including children to the elderly (elderly).
According to a press release from Indonesia Elderly Friendly (IRL) received by Republika, the annual incident pneumonia in the elderly in Indonesia reaches about 25 to 44 cases per 1000 people. This number is about four times greater than the younger population.
In addition to causing many deaths in children, this disease also attacks older people over 50 years. The older the age, the higher the death rate.
Pulmonary specialist DR Dr Erlina Burhan, MSc SpP(K) said pneumonia is an inflammatory lung disease, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. “One of the causes of pneumonia is bacteria” Streptococcus pneumonia or commonly called pneumococci, which can cause infections in brain tissue, lung infections and bacteria in the blood,” he explained.
This bacteria, said Erlina, is also the cause of osteomyelitis or bone infection, peritonitis or infection of the inner lining of the abdominal wall and endocarditis or infection of the inner lining of the heart.
Erlina continued, the immune system undergoes a profound transformation with age and the immunological response is highly dependent on age. Changes that occur in humans after the age of 50 years need special attention because of their clinical impact. “The most visible consequence of old age is the reduced effectiveness of the immune system,” he explained.
Therefore, it is important for people elderly to increase the body’s immunity in preventing pneumonia. Erlina also explained the importance of implementing a clean and healthy lifestyle, not smoking, eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, maintaining weight, not drinking alcohol, getting enough sleep or rest.
In addition, it also takes steps to prevent infection, such as frequent hand washing, cooking types of meat until cooked, avoiding stress, and pneumonia vaccinations which are now available in Indonesia.
The high prevalence of pneumonia increases in the elderly, IRL sees the importance of knowledge about pneumonia and its prevention for the elderly in Indonesia.
“We marked World Pneumonia Day on 12 November to increase knowledge about the disease Pneumonia and about the importance of preventing and treating it, by providing solutions, education and available approaches to this disease. We are focusing on the elderly, to maintain healthy lungs and protect them from pneumonia,” said Director of the Pneumonia Campaign of Elderly Friendly Indonesia, Dwi Endah, MPH.
In addition, IRL provides Indonesian elderly people with prevention of pneumonia. Some of these things are done by carrying out pneumonia-free elderly school activities online, by providing education about respiratory therapy, cough therapy, deep breathing, to training. caregiving family to the elderly with pneumonia.
Other activities include education through television programs by presenting a number of resource persons from pulmonary specialists, observers of public welfare, and artists who have a high concern for the health of the elderly.
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