Take necessary precautions to protect your child from Pneumonia this winter season
Take necessary precautions to protect your child from Pneumonia this winter season
According to the reports, pneumonia and diarrhea cause one in five deaths in India
New Delhi, 22nd November 2016: With over 43 million people suffering from pneumonia in the country, it is extremely important that awareness about disease prevention and detection is raised especially during the winter season. The reason for this is the similarity in the symptoms of pneumonia with those of flu, a chest infection or a persistent cough.
Pneumonia can be described as an acute respiratory infection or inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, virus, fungus or parasites, which causes the blood and oxygen flow to stop due to the deposition of fluid like substance in them. Coughing up phlegm, chest pain, a high temperature and quick breathing are all indicators of pneumonia. Generally if you or your child have the flu or heavy cold-like symptoms, which don’t show signs of improvement, it is important to visit a doctor and get a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia.
Recent reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that Streptococcus pneumonia is the prime cause of the hospitalization and death of many children below five years of age. As per WHO statistics, around 1, 20,000 deaths of children under five are caused due to pneumonia and a child dies every minute from pneumonia in India.
Creating awareness, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal – President HCFI and National President Elect IMA said, “Infants, neonates, premature babies aged 24-59 months with underdeveloped lungs, narrow airways, poor nutrition and immature immune system are at risk of contracting pneumonia. It is extremely important that awareness is raised amongst the masses of how unhygienic and unclean environments, malnutrition and lack of breastfeeding can increase the rate of mortality of children suffering from pneumonia. Several child deaths are preventable, and it is the duty of all doctors to educate new mothers about ways to keep their child healthy and the importance of timely vaccination”.
Pneumonia can be spread in a number of ways. The viruses and bacteria that are commonly found in a child’s nose or throat can infect the lungs if they are inhaled. They may also spread via airborne droplets from a cough or sneeze. In addition, pneumonia may spread through blood, especially during and shortly after birth.
Pneumonia can be prevented by immunization, adequate nutrition and by addressing environmental factors. Pneumonia caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, but only one-third of children with pneumonia receive the antibiotics they need at present. It is important that during winter months, children are kept warm, exposed to adequate sunlight and are kept in well-ventilated rooms. It should also be ensured that they receive adequate nutrition and necessary vaccinations.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) are the two vaccines, which prevent pneumonia. However over 70% of children are not given these vaccinations due to the high-cost factor as well as a lack of awareness. It is important that a government led vaccination program for the pentavalent vaccine is implemented at a National level to help reduce the disease incidence.
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About Heart Care Foundation of India
Initiated in 1986, the Heart Care Foundation of India is a leading National NGO working in the field of creating mass health awareness among people from all walks of life and providing solutions for India’s everyday healthcare needs. The NGO uses consumer-based entertainment modules to impart health education and increase awareness amongst people. A leading example of this is the Perfect Health Mela; an annual event started in 1993 that is attended by over 2-3 lakh people each year. The Mela showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars and check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. In addition to this, the NGO conducts programs and camps to train people on the technique of hands only CPR through its CPR 10 mantra for revival after a sudden cardiac arrest. They currently hold three Limca book of world records for the maximum number of people trained in hands-only CPR in one go. Keeping article 21 of the Indian Constitution in mind, which guarantees a person Right to Life, Heart Care Foundation of India has also recently initiated a project called the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund to ensure that no one dies of a heart disease just because they cannot afford treatment.
