The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that at least one child dies from pneumonia every 45 seconds every day, making pneumonia the most deadly infectious disease among children in the world.
Don’t forget that adults over 65 are also at higher risk, as the immune system typically weakens as we age.
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In light of these numbers, it’s important to remember that pneumonia can be a serious illness and steps must be taken to prevent it.
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Notably, this condition accounts for 81% of deaths from pneumococcal infections, so extra efforts must be made to avoid acute respiratory infections that lead to hospitalization and death.
In this region, pneumococci are the second pathogen responsible for community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization, after respiratory syncytial virus. Although susceptibility to pneumococcal infection is universal, it is more common within 2 months to 3 years and after the age of 65 years.
Gabriela Abalos, Pfizer’s medical lead for vaccines in Latin America, warned that more than 95% of clinical pneumonia episodes and more than 99% of pneumonia deaths in children under 5 years of age worldwide occur in low- and middle-income countries.
“Given this context, pneumococcal vaccines reduce childhood mortality, morbidity, and disability associated with pneumococcal disease. Identification of serotypes varies according to geographic region, age, and study period; approximately 70% of the world’s Invasive infections in children are caused by 6 to 11 of the most common serotypes, of which serotypes 6A and 19A are associated with bacterial pneumonia. Current vaccines have proven to have a significant impact on pneumonia caused by different serotypes,” he stressed.
Each year, pneumonia kills more than 300,000 people on the American continent. Although the effects of this disease affect all ages, pneumococcal infections are more common at the extremes of life, 1,3 When it comes to children, figures show us that more than 700,000 children under the age of five die from pneumonia every year, More than 153,000 of them were newborns, a group particularly vulnerable to infection. The outlook for older adults is equally encouraging.
According to the figures, the disease ranks as the fifth leading cause of death, behind heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, and ahead of kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cirrhosis and colorectal disease cancer.
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One of the main prevention strategies for pneumonia is vaccination, especially in countries with a double burden of pneumonia in children and adults:
“The routine use of childhood pneumonia vaccines has dramatically changed the epidemiology of the disease. Among vaccinated young children, illness caused by vaccine serotypes has been reduced to negligible levels. Furthermore, studies have shown that, on average, A vaccination program targeting children will bring substantial protection to the entire population within ten years. This indirect protection should be taken into account when assessing vaccination status in older age groups,” the expert stressed.
Pneumonia: the world’s leading cause of death from infection
Pneumonia is estimated to be the leading cause of infection-related deaths in the world, and older adults are among those most at risk.
What needs to be known is that with the natural aging process, the immune system will undergo a phenomenon called immunosenescence, which means that the activity and function of the immune system decline due to aging, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Dr. José Oñate, infectious disease physician and member of the Colombian Society of Infectious Diseases.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determines that “vaccines are important, especially for older adults. As you age, your immune system weakens and it may be more difficult to fight off infections. You are more likely to get the flu or Illnesses such as pneumonia, with complications that can lead to long-term illness, hospitalization and even death.”
It is important to recognize the causes of pneumonia to achieve appropriate management of the disease, as respiratory viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children and young adults, and influenza viruses are the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults.
Pneumonia can be caused by more than 30 different causes, including respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, Covid-19 and bacteria such as pneumococcus.
Therefore, this alert does exhibit the following symptoms:
Keep in mind that “elderly people with comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, lung problems, cancer, immune rheumatism, obesity or a sedentary lifestyle are at greater risk of infection, so everyone over 60 years of age is at greater risk The latest vaccination plan,” said Dr. Oñate.
It’s no secret that while covid-19 remains a respiratory disease of concern, the National Institute on Aging says older adults are more likely to become seriously ill, sometimes leading to death.
It is important to be aware of diseases that are preventable by vaccination and to obtain necessary immunizations based on age, condition, job, lifestyle or travel habits with the prior advice and guidance of a healthcare professional.
Protect yourself from myths
Although vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions, there are misconceptions about its negative impact on populations, thereby reducing protection against preventable diseases.
Dr. Shirley Correa, an infectious disease physician at the Pontifical University of Javeriana, urges disbelief:
• No additional vaccinations are required during childhood and beyond adolescence.
• Vaccine is only tested on children, not adults
• Vaccines are not safe
• Vaccines can make you sick
Likewise, experts invite you to consider the following points for healthy aging:
• Consult physician for appropriate vaccination schedule based on age group and comorbidities. Remember, vaccines are the best strategy for preventing infectious diseases, saving millions of lives every year.
• Use vaccines recommended by health professionals and update your application if necessary.
• If you are immunosuppressed for any reason, it is important to understand that you are at greater risk of contracting serious infectious diseases, which may have consequences or lead to death; therefore, you should always consult your primary care physician about the vaccinations you should What vaccines are available to prevent infection.
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In addition, engaging in physical activity, maintaining nutritional balance, controlling comorbidities in a timely manner, consulting a doctor before traveling, and having a full-body examination at least once a year are also methods of prevention and treatment. Dr. Onate concluded that older adults should consider it a self-care technique.
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