Pneumonia: 1 child dies every 39 seconds

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Extract from the article: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pneumonia has claimed the lives of more than 800,000, responsible for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 worldwide. Pneumonia continues to wreak havoc, killing a young child every 39 seconds worldw

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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pneumonia has claimed the lives of more than 800,000, responsible for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 worldwide. Pneumonia continues to wreak havoc, killing a young child every 39 seconds worldwide in 2018.

Most of these deaths affect children under the age of two, almost 153,000 of whom are in their first month of life. In Togo, a large number of children suffer from pneumonia. According to the WHO, pneumococcal pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in children in developing countries, and almost 500,000 children under the age of 5 die from it every year. In Togo, more than 60% of the germs isolated by hospital laboratories from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 2013 were due to pneumococcus.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection. In most cases, it is caused by a bacterium called pneumococcus, but it can also be caused by a virus (such as the common cold or flu) or a fungus.  When these infectious agents attach themselves to the pulmonary alveoli, they cause inflammation of the lungs.  The most common form is acute pneumococcal pneumonia.

Symptoms

They vary depending on the germ involved.However, the following symptoms are regularly observed: an outbreak of fever with chills, a dry then hacking cough, or unusual shortness of breath during everyday activities. It is essential to consult your GP in the event of: an outbreak of fever accompanied by a cough with discharge of yellow, green or blood-tinged mucus, a sensation of pain in the chest when breathing deeply, a cold or bronchitis that does not improve.

After examination, the doctor may ask for a chest X-ray, which is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis.

Risk factors

Pneumonia is often a complication of influenza, but there are other factors that favour the onset of infection. Among them: age; it is more common in the under-2s and the over-65s, although it can occur at any age, and lung disease. People suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, etc. are at greater risk.

Then there's chemotherapy: radiation pneumonitis is linked to the toxicity of the rays used in cancer treatment. There may also be problems swallowing; inhalation pneumonia is linked to the passage of gastric fluid into the bronchi during vomiting.

Possible complications

If left untreated, pneumonia can be very serious.Complications may arise if the patient is over 65, suffers from heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease or has already had a stroke.The infection may progress to septicaemia, lung abscess or pleurisy.Can it be cured?

Pneumonia is usually cured within a fortnight. The type of antibiotics used depends on the bacteria responsible for the infection.But pneumonia can be prevented by pneumococcal or flu vaccinations.

Finally, hygiene is essential to prevent the germs responsible for the infection passing from one person to another. Wash your hands regularly, dispose of used tissues directly in the bin and air your home once a day.  

William O.