Starting from the second week of October, the seasonal change is dramatic, from hot and rainy to cold winter, which is conducive to the proliferation of bacteria, leading to an increase in respiratory infections and pneumonia cases in the community. In light of this, the National Institute for Workers’ Safety and Social Services (Issste) urges the public to take care of themselves and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Epidemiologist at the regional hospital “Gral”. Ignacio Zaragoza of Omar Gerardo Blancas Reyes reports that pneumonia peaks between November and January , during which time pneumonia ranked second to third among reasons for admission to the emergency room and third among reasons for hospitalization of patients. Extended.
In the framework of the commemoration of World Pneumonia Day on November 12, specialists and coordinators of preventive medicine at the hospital explained that the main warning signs of the disease are: dyspnea or difficulty breathing, chest pain and cough. Dryness or discharge; Given these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Everyone can take actions to prevent pneumonia, including getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. “This dose does not prevent us from getting infected or getting sick, but it does help us reduce the risk of disease progression, hospitalization and death,” the expert explained.
He noted that the use of masks in crowded and enclosed public spaces remains the Ministry of Health’s national prevention recommendation and long-term management measure against COVID-19 and acute respiratory infections.
Additionally, frequent handwashing using appropriate techniques is a fundamental pillar of disease prevention at the community level. “Because hands are the primary mechanism of transmission, whether through contact with the pathogen or contact with a sick person during an infectious period,” he said.
Pneumonia is a disease of the lower respiratory tract caused by a number of environmental pathogens, mainly viruses and bacteria.
Blancas Reyes said the people at greatest risk of pneumonia in Mexico and who must be extra careful are those with uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, immunosuppression, those undergoing chemotherapy, those with HIV and Unvaccinated or unvaccinated people. The vaccination program is incomplete.
Generally speaking, people under the age of six and older adults have changes in their immune systems that make them more vulnerable due to immature defenses or fatigue. “Therefore, people in this age group have a greater chance of infection because their bodies do not have the natural ability to defend themselves against infection in the community,” he noted.
The entire population, especially high-risk groups, must maintain a healthy, adequate diet, and water-based hydration; cover yourself with quilts when going out, and avoid exposure to sudden changes in temperature as much as possible.
Most mobile pathogens have the ability to damage the lower respiratory tract. But if symptoms are not taken seriously, or the patient has many risk factors for disease progression, pneumonia symptoms may appear on the fourth to sixth days after infection; we must remain vigilant, because some of these cases occur after ordinary influenza respiratory illness ,” emphasizes the Issste infectious disease expert.