World Pneumonia Day 2023: Every year, World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12 to highlight the fight against pneumonia. Health organisations across the world come together to try and spread awareness about the risk factors, symptoms and prevention of this infectious disease. World Pneumonia Day was first observed under 'Stop Pneumonia', an initiative by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia.

What Is Pneumonia?

According to Mayo Clinic, pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

Causes Of Pneumonia

The infectious disease of pneumonia is an inflammation and fluid in the lungs which is caused by bacterial or viral infection. It can lead to difficulty in breathing along with fever, and cough with yellow, green or bloody mucus

Symptoms Of Pneumonia

- Chest pain when you breathe or cough

- Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)

- Cough, which may produce phlegm

- Fatigue

- Fever, sweating and shaking chills

- Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)

- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

- Shortness of breath

Risk Factors Of Pneumonia

- Adults older than age 65

- Children younger than age 2 with signs and symptoms

- People with an underlying health condition or weakened immune system

- People receiving chemotherapy or taking medication that suppresses the immune system

Treatment Of Pneumonia

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time, pneumonia is treated at home, but severe cases may be treated in the hospital. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias don’t have specific treatment. They usually get better on their own.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)