World Pneumonia Day Today
Today is World Pneumonia Day, observed across the country on Tuesday, November 12. This year’s theme is “Let’s Become Active Partners in the Fight to End Pneumonia.” Various government and non-government organizations have planned activities to mark the day.
According to statistics from the Directorate General of Health Services, 216,426 children have been diagnosed with pneumonia in Bangladesh over the first ten months of this year, averaging 709 cases per day. Last year, 204,412 children were affected by this disease, nearly all of whom had reportedly received government vaccinations for pneumonia prevention.
Pneumonia is a severe inflammatory disease of the lungs, especially affecting children and the elderly during colder months. Doctors indicate that factors like malnutrition, air pollution, lack of vaccination, and insufficient antibiotics make children more susceptible to pneumonia. However, it can also affect healthy young adults.
Pneumonia usually occurs when bacteria such as Streptococcus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infect the lungs, causing them to swell and fill with pus or fluid, reducing oxygen intake and making breathing difficult, leading to inflammation.
To prevent pneumonia, it’s important to wash hands regularly, take personal care, eat balanced meals, avoid smoking, and refrain from sneezing or coughing in front of others. Covering the mouth with a hand or tissue while sneezing or coughing is also recommended.
One major complication among pneumonia patients is low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia), which is a preventable cause of death, particularly among children. Experts advise that ensuring sufficient oxygen supplies in district and sub-district hospitals could reduce mortality by addressing this deficiency among children with pneumonia.
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