Pneumonia (pneumonia) - a serious infectious disease that can be prevented with the help of competent prevention. For early diagnosis of pneumonia can be treated successfully. And a child dies despite this every 20 seconds in the world from this disease.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine on its website recalls the seriousness of the disease and offers simple steps that can make each of us to prevent the development of disease in themselves or their loved ones.
What is pneumonia? Pneumonia - an acute infectious inflammation of the lung, which is localized mainly in the alveoli (lung cells). In a healthy person, they are filled with air and are functioning normally during breathing and the patient - they accumulate mucus and fluid. In this connection there is pain during inspiration and inadequate intake of oxygen.
The cause of pneumonia most often the bacteria and viruses that are usually transmitted by direct contact with the patient. To date, pneumonia is considered the most common and serious infection that leads to child mortality worldwide. According to the WHO, pneumonia is the cause of 16% of deaths of children under 5 in the world.
The causes of pneumonia. Pneumonia pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi and some protozoa. Thus, the cause of bacterial pneumonia in children are most often the pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib). A cause of viral pneumonia Respiratory syncytial virus infection (acute viral disease of SARS group).
Much less common inflammation of the lungs caused by fungi such as steel Pneumocystis Jiroveci (pathogens pneumocystosis). Most often, cases of infection are fixed in people with lowered immunity in children infected with HIV. At least one in four HIV-infected child dies from pneumonia it, which became pathogen fungi.
How do you get? There are different ways to spread pneumonia pathogens. Viruses and bacteria, which are usually located in the nose and throat of the child can get into the lungs when inhaled. Also disease spreads air by coughing and rhinitis. Infectious pneumonia can be transmitted and blood-borne. This is especially true of newborns during birth or immediately after birth.
The symptoms of pneumonia. Most of the symptoms of viral and bacterial forms of pneumonia are generally similar. The difference is that the patient's viral pneumonia may appear more different signs. Most often manifested symptoms of the disease:
• cough;
• labored breathing;
• high (39 ° C and above) the body temperature;
• rapid breathing;
• retraction of the thorax (the patient's inspiratory sinks lower part of the chest, and in a healthy chest expands during inhalation);
• wheezing during breathing time (usually a viral form).
Not always during illness has all of the above characteristics. Pay particular attention to the need to treat infants who have pneumonia can occur is not typical, but it is developing very fast and can lead to death of the baby.
Pay attention to these signs:
• the child hard to swallow food or drink water;
• he lowered the body temperature;
• there are convulsions;
• The child loses consciousness.
All these symptoms are a sign that the child should see a doctor immediately.
risk group. In healthy children with pneumonia successfully cope protective mechanisms of the organism and the disease develops much less often. In the group of risk babies with certain medical conditions and weakened immune systems. This is especially true for infants who do not get mother's milk. Also at risk of HIV-infected children and toddlers who had been ill with measles.
According to WHO, the risk of disease is increased by factors such as:
• indoor air pollution as a result of cooking and use of biofuels for heating;
• second hand smoke;
• living in overcrowded houses with a lack of oxygen.
Treatment of pneumonia. To do in this case is very dangerous to self-medicate. If you or your child has the above symptoms, do not delay, contact your doctor. Only he will be able to confirm or deny your fears, to diagnose and prescribe treatment.
pneumonia prevention. Prevention of pneumonia in children is one of the main elements of a strategy to reduce child mortality worldwide, the WHO stresses. Routine vaccination against Hib-infection, pneumococcal infection, measles and pertussis is recognized as the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.
In Ukraine, these vaccines are purchased with the money of the state budget and vaccinations can be done for free in their clinic. Information on vaccine availability can be found in the regions here.
Also, disease prevention in adults and children envisages the strengthening immunity. First of all, it is important to your family's diet was balanced and nutritious. This is especially important for infants: the mother's milk during the first 6 months of life will strengthen the defenses of the organism and help to overcome dangerous infections.
In addition, to reduce the risk of pneumonia regular wet cleaning in the house, the frequent airing of the room in any weather, not smoking (including passive). Health to you and your loved ones!
And be sure to find out 10 Dr. Komarovsky rules about how to treat SARS and to bookmark table, with which you will be able to distinguish a cold from the flu.
