why is this important, risk groups, prevention

On November 12, the global community celebrates World Pneumonia Day. Established in 2009 by the Global Coalition Against Childhood Pneumonia, this date is an annual reminder of the silent epidemic that continues to claim millions of lives around the world. Read more about the dangers of pneumonia, risk groups, diagnosis and treatment in the material URA.RU.

Why is pneumonia so dangerous?

Pneumonia, often called pneumonia, is still one of the most brutal and underestimated diseases of our time. Every year it becomes a reason died about 2.5 one million Man. However, 2021 has been particularly difficult: amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of pneumonia victims has increased by an unprecedented 3.5 million, bringing the total number of deaths from respiratory diseases to 6 million.

In addition to bacterial pneumonia, there is also viral pneumonia

Photo: Ekaterina Sychkova © URA.RU

Smallpox – this is not just a “real cold”, it is a real infection and inflammation that attacks the most important part of our respiratory system – the lung tissue. Pneumonia can be caused by a whole arsenal of pathogens: from bacteria And viruses to fungi and even parasites.

It is the most common culprit in adults pneumococcusa bacterium that can infect healthy lungs in a few days. However, the danger of pneumonia lies not only in its pathogens, but also in its ability to spread like other diseases.

Symptoms of pneumonia varies from classic to almost invisible, which makes it a real challenge for doctors. Typical symptoms include:

• Coughwhich can be dry or with sputum of different colors and consistency
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathingespecially during physical activity
• Chest painworse when coughing or taking deep breaths
• Feveroften accompanied by chills and sweat
• General weakness and fatiguewhich may be so severe that a person has difficulty getting out of bed

However, the vulnerability of pneumonia is that it can be almost asymptomatic, especially in the elderly. In some cases, slight weakness and increased sweating may be the only symptoms. This makes pneumonia particularly dangerous because the sufferer may not realize the severity of the condition until it is too late.

Groups at risk

Certain groups of people are at greater risk:

• Children under 2 years of agewhose immune system is not yet fully developed
• Adults over 65 years of agein which the body’s defense mechanisms are no longer as effective
• People with chronic diseasessuch as asthma, COPD, diabetes mellitus, which weakens the overall resistance of the body
• Smokers and alcohol abusewhose bad habits break the natural barriers of the respiratory system
• People with weakened immune systemsincluding patients with HIV/AIDS and those receiving chemotherapy

It is important to remember that even healthy people can get pneumonia, especially when they have the flu or other respiratory infections.

Diagnosis and treatment

When pneumonia is suspected, time is of the essence. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the higher the chance of a full recovery without complications. A modern diagnosis of pneumonia involves a whole range of measures:

• Physical examinationwhen the doctor listens to the lungs for normal wheezing and noise.
• X-ray chestwhich allows you to see foci of inflammation in the lungs.
• Blood testshelps to determine the type of pathogen and the stage of the inflammatory process.
• In difficult cases it may be necessary computed tomographygiving a more detailed picture of the damage to the lung tissue.

Treatment of pneumonia – This is always an individual procedure, depending on the type of pathogen, the severity of the patient’s condition and the presence of concomitant diseases. Bacterial pneumonia requires the use of antibiotics, and the choice of drugs must be as precise as possible. Viral pneumonia may require antiviral medications, although treatment is often aimed at relieving symptoms and supporting the immune system.

In severe cases, when pneumonia threatens the patient’s life, hospitalization and intensive care may be required, including oxygen support and intravenous medications.

Prevention

Preventing pneumonia is not just a medical recommendation, it is a survival strategy in a world where respiratory diseases are becoming more aggressive. An integrated approach to prevention includes:

Vaccination: Today’s vaccines against pneumococcus, influenza and COVID-19 greatly reduce the risk of developing severe forms of pneumonia. Vaccination is especially important for people at risk.

Doctors advise washing your hands with soap more often to protect yourself from dangerous bacteria.

Photo: Ilya Moskovets © URA.RU

Hygiene: Regular hand washing and respiratory etiquette (covering your mouth when you cough, wearing masks in crowded areas) are effective measures that prevent the spread of disease.

A healthy lifestyle: Eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and quitting smoking will strengthen the immune system and improve overall lung health.

Timely treatment of ARVI: Pneumonia is often a complication of the “common” cold or flu. Therefore, it is extremely important not to ignore the symptoms of respiratory diseases and consult a doctor immediately.

Chronic disease control: People with asthma, diabetes and other chronic diseases should keep a close eye on their health and get regular medical check-ups.