#UNAM | Pneumonia the leading cause of hospitalization in Mexico

Pneumonia is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the leading single cause of death among children globally, claiming the lives of 740,180 children under the age of five in 2019, accounting for 14% of deaths in this population group.

In Mexico, according to the National Institute of Public Health, more than 127,000 new cases of pneumonia and bronchopneumonia were diagnosed in 2021, mainly affecting children and adults over 65 years old. In 2020, more than 57,000 people died from pneumonia and influenza.

Jorge Salas Hernandez, a scholar at the School of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and former director of the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, emphasized that pneumonia is one of the main causes of hospitalization for adults and infants in Mexico. In the framework of World Pneumonia Day, it states that the disease is curable if prompt medical attention is given and appropriate treatment is taken.

Salas Hernandez stressed the importance of prevention through vaccination and respiratory care measures. It highlights that while pneumonia is a common infection that can affect anyone, some people are at higher risk. If you develop respiratory symptoms, especially during the winter months, it is recommended that you seek medical attention.

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by microorganisms, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial infections, especially those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, are the most common. Clinical manifestations vary depending on each individual’s preexisting health conditions and may include respiratory symptoms, general malaise, cough, and fever.

Salas Hernández stressed that pneumonia can exacerbate the symptoms of existing chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mild cases. Diagnosis is made by clinical and radiological evaluation; chest X-ray shows swelling of the lungs, indicating infection.