To mark World Pneumonia Day, learn how to protect yourself

Saturday, 12 November will be World Pneumonia Day, organised to raise awareness of pneumonia, promote prevention and more effective treatments to fight the illness.

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection caused by certain germs, or by inhaling chemicals that affect the lungs. It is transmitted when bacteria, viruses or fungi are breathed into the alveoli (tiny bags of air at the end of the lungs). These become irritated and swollen and fill with liquid, making breathing difficult and painful.

More than 600,000 cases of pneumonia are detected among the world population every year. It tends to affect people over the age of 60, children under two and people with health problems.

To raise awareness and reduce the number of cases during the winter months, specialists recommended getting a vaccination and taking some routine precautions. The good news is that there are some simple ways to prevent it!

Symptoms of pneumonia

Although only a doctor can diagnose a disease properly, there are some signs that may lead you to suspect it:

• Cough
• High temperature
• Dyspnoea or breathing difficulties
• Chest pain
• Phlegm
• Increased heart rate
• Weakness

The features of typical pneumonia are sudden onset accompanied by shivering, high temperature, cough, phlegm and chest pain exacerbated by breathing.

Atypical pneumonia does not have a phlegmy cough and has a set of non-specific symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, headache and digestive problems, meaning it is sometimes mistaken for flu.

Specific treatment

The treatment depends on the cause and type of pneumonia, the severity of the symptoms and the patient’s health.

An oral or intravenous antibiotic is usually prescribed. Best rest is advisable and patients are given analgesics for the pain and antipyretics for the high temperature. Drink plenty of water to help to expel the phlegm.

The most important thing you can do is follow the doctor’s instructions carefully to stop the illness from getting worse, dragging on or relapsing.

Pneumonia is preventable

It is always better to prevent than to treat pneumonia. Although there are no failsafe ways of preventing it, doctors advise having a flu jab if you are in a risk group (over 65, under five, compromised immune system and asthmatics), because it often starts with a simple case of flu.

The pneumococcal vaccine is often prescribed to prevent pneumococcus, the main microorganism that causes 70% of cases of pneumonia.

Lastly, health professionals emphasise the importance of hygiene, particularly during the winter months:

– Wash your hands frequently.

– Do not share glasses or cutlery.

– Keep rooms well ventilated.

– Avoid cigarette smoke.

– Wear a mask when cleaning dusty or mouldy places.

Remember to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a healthy diet and do sport to improve your lung capacity, which will make you less vulnerable to respiratory infections, among them, pneumonia.

This post is also available in: Spanish