World Pneumonia Day is being celebrated around the world on Sunday (November 12). The day is celebrated in Bangladesh like all over the world. Pneumonia Day was celebrated for the first time in 2009.
Pneumonia is a terrible disease caused by inflammation of the lungs. The prevalence of this disease increases especially in children and the elderly during winter. According to doctors, children get pneumonia due to malnutrition, air pollution, lack of vaccination and lack of antibiotics.
Also young, healthy and young people can get pneumonia. Pneumonia affects about 450 million people worldwide every year. However, children under the age of five and the elderly suffer more from pneumonia, and children die more.
Typically, an infection of the lungs with bacteria such as streptococcus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes the lungs to swell, fill with pus or fluid, which takes up oxygen and reduces the ability to breathe. Then there is inflammation in the lungs.
Symptoms of pneumonia vary by age. Symptoms depend on the physical condition and type of infection. Usually fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, excessive sweating, chest pain with breathing, headache, muscle pain and fatigue are the symptoms that indicate that a person has pneumonia.
The disease is diagnosed by physical examination, chest X-ray, blood and sputum/mucus tests.
However, if the symptoms increase i.e. unusual fever, cough, shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, you should go to the doctor immediately. Apart from this, according to the doctor’s advice, antibiotics, plenty of liquid food and adequate rest should be taken.
And to prevent pneumonia, you should always wash your hands, take care of yourself, eat a balanced diet. Avoid smoking. Avoid sneezing/coughing in front of others. While sneezing/coughing, cover your mouth with your hands or use a handkerchief.
In particular, vaccinations should be given. For example, the influenza vaccine is very effective against influenza.
