WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

    

    World pneumonia Day is a global event observed every year on 12th November to spread awareness and educate people to combat pneumonia, which is a biggest infectious disease. It is responsible for the majority of death of children below five years around the world.

    

    The day is also focused on creating opportunity and encourage for the global action mainly in the low and middle income countries to fight the toll due to pneumonia and other respiratory conditions.

    Pneumonia is a preventable and treatable infectious disease. This day is helps to create awareness about pneumonia and its effects, and give knowledge to the public about preventive measures.

    This year 2022, World Pneumonia Day theme is based on the worldwide pneumonia Awareness Campaign, " Pneumolight 2022" with a theme and a slogan " Pneumonia Affects Everyone" 

    The World Pneumonia Day was first observed on 12 November 2009, under the " Stop Pneumonia" initiatives by Global coalition Against Child Pneumonia. Every Breath Counts Coalition is one of the first public- private partnership coalition came into existence in 2017 with an intention to support low and middle income countries to combat the toll due to pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?

    Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, The infection leads to inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs which are called Alveoli. The Alveoli filled with fluid or pus making it difficult to breathe. Both Viral and bacterial pneumonia are contagious.

TYPES OF PNEUMONIA

• Hospital - acquired Pneumonia - This is a type of bacterial pneumonia is acquired during hospital stay.
• Community - acquire Pneumonia - This is a type of pneumonia that's acquired outside of a institutional setting.
• Ventilator - Associated Pneumonia - When people who are on ventilation breath get pneumonia that is VAP
• Aspiration Pneumonia - Inhaling bacteria into the lungs from food, drink or saliva can cause aspiration pneumonia. 
• Walking Pneumonia - It is a milder case of pneumonia. It is caused by the bacteria.

        There are different stages of pneumonia is there.

SYMPTOMS

• Cough 
• Fever
• Sweating or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting

        Infants may not have any symptoms but they might vomit, lack in energy, or have trouble in drinking or eating.  Children under 5 years may have fast breathing or wheezing. Older adults might have milder symptoms. They also experience confusion or a lower body temperature.

RISK FACTORS

• Infants from birth to 2 years old
• People above 65 and older
• People with weak immune system
• People with chronic medical conditions such as Asthma, COPD, Diabetes, Liver and kidney disease.
• People who have brain disorder
• People who are regularly exposed to lung irritants 
• smoking
• Alcohol consumption

TIPS TO PREVENT PNEUMONIA

• The first step to defense against pneumonia is to get vaccinated. There are several vaccines are available that can help prevent pneumonia.
• Stop smoking
• Regularly wash hands with soap and water at least for 20 seconds
• Cover coughs and sneeze. promptly dispose used tissues
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle to strengthen the immune system. 
• Get Enough rest
• Eat a balanced diet
• Exercise regularly

FOOD TO PROMOTE LUNG HEALTH

• Mint 
• Coffee
• Turmeric 
• Ginger
• Fenugreek
• Beetroot
• Peppers
• Apples
• Pumpkin
• Tomato
• Blueberries
• Red cabbage
• Oysters
• Yogurt
• Brazil Nuts
• Barley
• Anchovies
• Lentils