BY:
AGHEDO, OJORE GODDAY
Pneumonia is preventable with vaccines and treatable too in
most cases with antiboiotics, and the World Pneumonia Day was established in
2009, to be commemorated on November 12th, each year. However, it
remains one of the world’s leading cause of mortality in children of below 5
years. According to World Health Organization (2019), 15% of all death of
children under 5 years of age is caused by pneumonia, killing 808,694 children in 2017 alone. It is simply an acute pulmonary
infection (that is, infection of the respiratory system), which makes breathing
difficult and painful, due to insufficient oxygen uptake and invasion of the
alveoli by pus and fluid. South Asia and sub-Sahara Africa have highest
prevalence of pneumonia.
KNOWN CAUSES AND TRANSMISSION
ROUTES
The causative agents of pneumonia include: viruses, bacteria,
fungi and parasites. Pneumonia causing bacteria include: Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma
pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. In children living with HIV (CLHIV), Pneumocystis
jiroveci is the common cause of pneumonia related
deaths. Generally, bacteria and viruses inhabiting the throats and nose of
children can cause pneumonia if inhaled by the children. Nevertheless, it can be transmitted
by air-borne droplets from a cough or sneeze, as well as through blood contacts
during or/and shortly after birth. This means that children can get infected even
before birth and must be treated as immediate as possible, but unfortunately,
many children do not get to receive proper and early treatment, accounting for
high mortality rate in children under 5 years of age. More researches on the
transmission routes of pneumonia is necessary, to ensure adequate preventive
measures are in place, or early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of pneumonia can come sudden or develop
slowing over few days. For instance, in pneumonia caused by the flu virus, symptoms
manifest within 18 to 72 hours while that caused by respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV) manifest in 4 to 6 days. The commonest symptom of pneumonia is cough,
which can be either dry or phlegm containing. Difficulty in breathing, fever, the presence of
tachycardia (that is fast breathing), retraction of the chest during inhalation
and even wheezing are other possible presenting symptoms. In very severely ill
infants, difficulty in feeding (loss of appetite), fatigue, unconsciousness,
hypothermia and convulsions may be experienced.
RISK FACTORS
Healthy children with optimal immune
system can easily fight off pneunomia naturally. However, weakened or
compromised immunity, malnutrition or undernourishment (especially for children
undergoing other feeding plans different from exclusive breast feeding), other
preexisting opportunistic infections/illnesses like Measles or Tuberculosis or
HIV, and environmental factors such as indoor air pollution (from cooking with biomass
fuels), overcrowded homes and parental smoking, are major risk factors of
pneumonia in children.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
The
2030 ambition of ending preventable child deaths, is fast coming under threat
of non-fulfillment, unless pneumonia amongst other diseases is consciously
prevented.
1. Immunization or vaccination against Haemophilus
influenzae type-b (Hib), pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough
is reputed as the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.
2. Sufficient and acceptable feeding
practices and proper nourishment will help boost the immune system. For instance,
exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, is highly recommended
for the nourishment and protection of every child.
3. Completely eradicating indoor air pollution
by avoiding cooking with dungs and woods in the rooms where children stay, is
high advised.
4. Avoiding to raise children in
overcrowded homes and practicing extremely good hygiene, is very helpful.
5.
Children
who are infected with HIV should be placed on daily antibiotic (cotrimoxazole).
CONCLUSION
Pneumonia
is a leading global health killer infection, which despite being preventable
and treatable kills thousands of children below 5 years annually. This can be
an indication of either neglect or inadequate attention paid to it by key
global health stakeholders. With renewed commitment and concerted efforts by
all relevant stakeholders, especially in Asia and sub-Sahara Africa, the goal
of ending preventable child deaths by 2030 is achievable. Children have the
right to life. Let’s stop pneumonia from taking more lives of the children.
#ProtecttChildrenfrompneumonia
#Preventpneumoniawithvaccines
#Treatpneumonia
©Aghedo, Ojore Godday (AMIIM, HRMA)
