By Dr Naresh Purohit
It is about time people start counting their every breath because air pollution in ambient air is a recipe for doubling the risk of pneumonia and mortality due to it.People in northern India are wary of the approaching medical emergencies of pneumonia.
This is a worrying sign of approaching pneumonia catastrophe engulfing our region as air quality is deteriorating. Though caused by virus, bacteria and fungi, the pollution greatly exacerbates the risk of pneumonia becoming fatal. In such a situation, ignoring the respiratory symptoms in our young and old could be a recipe for endangering their lives .
Pneumonia is the worlds deadliest child killer. Over three million children die every year of pneumonia world over, majority of them in the developing countries. India stands second among 5 countries which account for more than half of the child pneumonia deaths globally.
Millions of children worldwide are dying for want of vaccines, affordable antibiotics and routine oxygen treatment. The pneumonia crisis is symptom of neglect. The disease can be prevented with vaccines and following hand hygiene and face mask wearing practices. Also it is easily treatable with antibiotics if properly diagnosed. Those with weakened immune systems and those living in areas with high levels of air pollution and unsafe water are most at more higher risk.
It is surprisingly enough, pneumonia is continuing being a killer disease. The need of the hour is only to remain vigilant about pneumonia like symptoms.
Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease affecting the Iungs. It happens due to accumulation of fluid in the alveoli of the lung resulting into obstruction of normal breathing.
Though caused by virus, bacteria and fungi, the pollution greatly exacerbates the risk of pneumonia becoming fatal. In such a situation, ignoring the respiratory symptoms in our young and old could be a recipe for endangering their lives.
Air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered as good, while from 100 to 200 it is moderate, from 200 to 300 it is poor, and from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor and from 400 to 500 or above it is considered as severe.
If not given timely and proper treatment, a pneumonic child can die within the first three days of illness. As many as 80 per cent pneumonic children respond positively to the simple antibiotics,
More than 140 countries in the world have introduced the PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) in their immunisation programmes.
Inoculation with this vaccine in India will definitely prevent mortality in children due to pneumonia.The ‘streptococcus’ pneumoniae bacteria that causes ‘pneumococcal pneumonia’ is responsible for about one-third of all pneumonia deaths, globally and in India.
The incidence of pneumonia is much more at the time of change of seasons , especially before the onset of winters in October and November.
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