The fact that pneumonia is the leading cause of death globally in the early years, to the extent that acute respiratory infections claim the lives of more than four million children under the age of five every year is of great concern in both the health and social spheres.
These figures translate into nearly 30 percent of all deaths in the pediatric age group. That is why this November 12 is World Pneumonia Day, as an opportunity to raise awareness of how to help detect it in time, especially in children and older adults, the populations most vulnerable to complications from this cause.
Its mortality rates are so high because often families, instead of thinking of pneumonia as the first cause, believe that it is a common cold or other illnesses with similar symptoms. By the time they decide to seek specialized help it is often too late or associated complications have appeared.
Pneumonia is a disease caused by inflammation of the lungs and the presence of an infection caused by viruses or bacteria. Chest X-rays or radiographs are enough to detect it early and indicate treatment with antibiotics.But what makes newborns and infants so vulnerable to this disease? Certainly, pediatricians often explain to us in childcare consultations that their immune system, especially in infants, is still maturing and developing. This means that their ability to fight infections is generally lower than that of adults.
On the other hand, children’s airways are smaller and narrower, which facilitates obstruction and colonization by pathogens, hence their predisposition to recurrent respiratory infections. The danger is further increased by underlying medical conditions, such as asthma or heart disease, which increases the risk of developing it.
If we add to this the fact that environmental factors such as exposure to irritants like smoking, air pollution and other allergens increase their susceptibility to this type of infection, it is easy to understand their predisposition.
Such characteristics reinforce this susceptibility in comparison with adults, who generally have a stronger immune system and a better developed respiratory anatomy.
In the specific case of the province of Holguín, during the year 2023, there was a significant increase in admissions for these entities and in the present year there has been an increase for this reason at all times.
In the specific case of the province of Holguin, during 2023, there was a significant increase in admissions for these entities and in the present year there has been an increase for this reason at all times.
In the last five years in the territory more than 109 thousand 300 pediatric patients have gone to the emergency services, of them 35 thousand 643 were hospitalized, which represents about 60 percent of the total hospital admissions, being precisely pneumonia one of the main causes of them.
Fortunately, there are effective vaccines against some types of pneumonia, such as decavalent Pneumosil, which prevents serious conditions such as acute meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis, applied for the first time in Cuba to infants. That is why we insist on the importance of our little ones having their vaccination schedule updated.
So this November 12 is a good day to seek information about this disease, its treatment and symptoms. As well as the main precautions to take at home, especially if we have small children or older adults at home.
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