Every year on November 12, people celebrate World Pneumonia Day, also known as Pneumonia. The disease causes death, especially among children, in many parts of the world.
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by a viral or bacterial infection. With timely detection through X-rays, the disease can be stopped by providing antibiotic medications.
- In many cases, the high mortality rate from pneumonia is due to underestimation of symptoms, which can be confused with the common cold, and by the time the correct diagnosis is obtained, it may be too late.
- It is important that older adults watch for symptoms in children, such as coughing and difficulty breathing, and consult a doctor.
Today, pneumonia deaths have declined, in part due to the introduction of vaccines, improved nutrition, and access to timely treatment.
- In terms of prevention, vaccines for children, adults and people with chronic diseases play a leading role and are included in the national vaccination calendar.
- Measles and whooping cough vaccines are also important because they prevent infections that can become complicated and turn into pneumonia.
- Another protective factor is exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Breast milk prevents disease.
In addition, good nutrition, frequent and proper hand washing, drinking water, and smoke-free air can also help prevent it.
symptom
It is important not to underestimate the symptoms that may indicate a person has pneumonia. The most common are:
- cough. In some cases, yellow, green, or bloody mucus may be coughed up.
- fever.
- Chills with shivering.
- Trouble breathing (for example, when climbing stairs or when exerting force)
In children, the most common symptoms are:
- high fever
- cough
- accelerated breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- crackling sound in lungs
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting, caused by coughing or swallowing mucus
- Feelings of discomfort and confusion
- stomach ache
If you experience some of these symptoms, you should seek consultation at a health center or public hospital.
Master of Miracle Hospital
At the Señor del Milagro Hospital, a benchmark in the field of infectious diseases, there is a pulmonology office managed by a pulmonologist, a part-time doctor and a nurse.
Nursing services are available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Appointments must be managed in person at the hospital’s appointment and counting window, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Emergencies can be handled through on-call services.
In 2022, the clinic received 2,312 patients, and so far this year, it has served 1,572 patients.