2023-11-12 11:53:25
Pneumonia claims the lives of 800,000 children under five years of age, making it the leading cause of death among children, including many newborns, who are very vulnerable to this disease. For this reason, November 12 is World Pneumonia Day, a disease that wreaks havoc in many parts of the world. It might be said that it is one of the most neglected diseases.
Its mortality rate is so high because in most cases it is considered a common cold or, in the worst case, malaria, but the truth is that when it is finally diagnosed correctly, it is already too late. Progress is being made to prevent deaths from pneumonia but very slowly. So much so that it is feared that Sustainable Development Goal number three on health and well-being will not be achieved.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia, also known as pneumonia, is a disease that causes inflammation of the lungs due to the presence of an infection caused by viruses or bacteria.
With the right equipment, mainly chest plates or x-rays, it can be detected in time and stopped completely with the administration of an antibiotic. What’s more, it has been proven that if the disease is diagnosed in time, it reduces mortality by 42 percent in children two years old or younger.
The problem with pneumonia is that in many developing countries there are neither public policies nor the appropriate level of investment to diagnose and treat the disease. It is only when the child does not respond to treatment that doctors realize they have pneumonia and by then it is too late.
What is the purpose of Pneumonia Day in 2023?
The main objective of this day is to raise awareness among people, so that they can detect the disease in time, but it also seeks for nations to take precautions through vaccination days, investment in equipment and purchase of medicines that help with treatment, especially all in children and older adults, which are the two types of populations that are most at risk of contracting the virus.
During this day, a series of talks, symposia and other activities are also held to educate the population and provide them with all the support they need.
What to do on World Pneumonia Day?
The main thing is to inform yourself regarding this disease, its treatment and symptoms. Precautions should also be taken, especially if we have small children or older adults at home.
It is important that if there is an outbreak of the virus, take our family members for a medical check-up as soon as symptoms appear. You cannot assume that it is a simple cold. You can provide your contribution by educating others through digital media, sharing important information along with the hashtag #WorldDay once morestPneumonia.
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