World Pneumonia Day observed

Ludhiana, November 12, 2021: World Pneumonia Day is observed on 12th November every year with the aim to raise awareness about Pneumonia. This year theme for the day is ‘Every Breath Counts’
 Pneumonia a serious illness of the  lungs which makes breathing difficult. Though the majority of pneumonia is caused by bacterial infections, viral infections like influenza or COVID 19 virus can also affect the lungs and making breathing painful and limiting oxygen intake.
According to Dr Akashdeep Singh (Professor & head Department of Pulmonary Medicine ) if a person suffering from fever and chills, having chest pain during cough and cough produce phlegm, shortness of  breathe should consult with the doctor for timely treatment. Further Dr Akashdeep said that Pneumonia is contagious and can be spread through  cough or sneeze particles.
One effective way of preventing the occurrence of pneumonia is to adhere to timely vaccination. In high risk patients pneumococcal vaccine above 64 yrs and H-influenza vaccine can be given after the consultation of a physician.
Other lifestyle modifications like adequate nutrition, routine physical activity, avoiding overcrowding, and maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels amongst diabetic patients can decrease the chance of acquiring pneumonia and adopt appropriate covid behaviour when you go outside.
DMCH offers state of the art treatment for pneumonia including various investigations such as H1N1 panel, atypical pneumonia panel.
Dr Puneet  A Pooni (Professor & Head Department of Pediatrics ) highlighted the pneumonia among children. It  is the deadliest disease for children below five years. Every year around 8 lakh children died due to pneumonia. A child dies from pneumonia every 39 seconds. Almost all of these deaths are preventable. Further Dr Pooni said that the most common symptom of pneumonia among children are coughing, trouble breathing and fever.
Pneumonia can be prevent during  infancy period by exclusively breast feeding for 6months and avoid bottle feeding. Air pollution is one of the major reason of pneumonia and major air pollution is related with our household activities like cooking, dusting,  use of dhoop & agarbatti, cleaning etc.
DMCH runs chest clinic for children in every week and immunisation clinic being done on daily basis to prevent infection disease . All facilities including central oxygen therapy, HFNC, NIV, BiPaP, CPap, ventilations are available for the sick children.