It has been an issue since Corona at the latest and often ends fatally: Thousands of people contract pneumonia every year.
Pneumonia, the technical term, refers to the inflammation of the alveoli or tissue in the lungs. Causes are usually bacteria or other pathogens, but also inhaled foreign substances. The disease often occurs as a complication of infections, such as influenza or corona.
According to Statistics Austria, 36,000 people ended up in hospital in 2018 because of pneumonia. “The disease should not be taken lightly,” warns Alexander Leitner, senior physician at the Wels-Grieskirchen clinic.
A reduced air intake creates the risk that the body cells are not supplied with enough oxygen.
The inflammation manifests itself in restlessness, fear, shortness of breath, tachycardia and bluish discolouration, for example on the lips.
After diagnosis, early treatment is important to avoid complications, says Leitner. Long-term effects can include chronic pneumonia, which requires treatment for up to more than a year.
The risk group includes above all people with a weakened immune system. Also older people and patients with previous lung diseases such as COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
Scarlet wave rolls over Salzburg
Infections caused by streptococci are increasing all over Salzburg. The country exhibits “a lot more” scarlet fever cases than usual.
The infection is considered a classic childhood disease: it is one of the most common bacterial diseases in the four to ten year old age group.
