The growth in cases of pneumonia children’s in northern China have raised alarms worldwide about the possible causes that have generated this new respiratory outbreak.
Free Diary spoke with the pediatric infectious disease specialist Gabriela Abaloswho explained that the main causes of pneumonia They are viruses, bacteria and/or combinations of both when coinfections occur that inflame the air sacs of one or both lungswhich can be filled with fluid.
The Argentine doctor, who works in the Pfizer Vaccines division for Latin America, indicated that anyone can suffer from a pneumonia; However, there are certain groups risk, who must be alert to any symptoms and take appropriate preventive measures.
This includes children under 2 years old; people with a weak immune system due to cancer, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV/AIDS or with an organ transplant; individuals with serious health problems such as diabetes, cirrhosis or heart disease; adults over 65 years of age and smokers. Pregnant women are also recommended to protect themselves by vaccinetion.
Las pneumonias usually manifest with fever, respiratory symptoms (cough, expectoration, chest pain and dyspnea). Furthermore, they are accompanied by signs such as general malaise, anorexia, confusion, dehydration and worsening of chronic diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, the pneumonia is the single largest cause of mortality children’s worldwide and It represents 14% of all deaths in children under 5 years of age.
As a preventive measure, Ábalos commented that the vaccinetion It is the most effective weapon, both for influenzaas well as that of pneumococcusstreptococcal bacteria that cause ear infections, sinusitis, sepsis, meningitis and the aforementioned pneumonia.
“The good news is that we have tools to prevent them. Respiratory syncytial virus and pneumococcus “They go very hand in hand,” he commented.
According to the specialist, a pneumonia no treated It creates “painful symptoms of respiratory distress that lead to hospitalization. The most serious symptoms occur under one year of age and more precisely under six months of age.”
This is because “the airways are immature, soft cartilage and immature cells, often leading to intensive care so that the child can be mechanically ventilated.”
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Ábalos recognized that at a global level, rates vaccineTHE They have improved somewhat after the recession during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To have a high impact and high prevention of respiratory disease, this disease must have coverage above 90%. By having high coverage, we reduce the circulation of the virus and protect the population in those areas of the planet where the virus continues to circulate,” he indicated.
The galena highlighted that “the vaccine “It is a common good, a right and a responsibility.”
According to the scheme of the Directorate of Immunopreventables by Vaccines (DIV), in the Dominican Republic the application of the vaccine against him pneumococcus at two, four and 12 months.
The vaccine against influenzais seasonal, being available every year starting in October.
Adults must also update their regimens, and can even inject themselves on the same day against influenza and the pneumococcus“one in each arm,” Ábalos clarified.
Other practices to reduce the risk of suffering from pneumonia
Wash your hands frequently with soap
Practice regular physical activity
Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
Avoid smoking
Get enough sleep
Practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of the baby’s life
2023-11-26 04:01:00
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