World Pneumonia Day is being observed today in Pakistan and across the globe to raise public awareness about prevention and precautionary measures against this deadly disease.
World Pneumonia Day is marked every year on November 12 to highlight the prevention and severe impact of the disease. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that mainly affects children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems. Globally, respiratory tract infections rank as the fourth leading cause of death.
After Nigeria and India, Pakistan is the third largest country where pneumonia claims the lives of around 92,000 children annually. Symptoms of pneumonia include high fever, chills, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, stiffness in the neck, refusal or reduced milk intake in infants, and a bluish tinge to the face.
For pneumonia patients, protein-rich foods such as meat and fish are beneficial. To prevent the disease, it is essential for children to receive pneumonia vaccines at one and a half months, two and a half months, and three and a half months after birth.
Former Health Minister Professor Javed Akram stated that pneumonia is actually an infection of the respiratory tract or lungs. Its initial symptoms resemble a cold or flu, but an X-ray is necessary for accurate diagnosis. He added that individuals suffering from asthma, diabetes, or heart diseases are at serious risk if they contract pneumonia, and those with weakened immune systems may also face life-threatening complications.
