Seasonal change easily causes many diseases pneumonia is one of the infections caused by viruses and bacteria it’s a common phenomenon in winter. It is important to understand that pneumonia can occur at any time of the year, not just during winter, however, the number of patients with pneumonia increases during the colder months as people tend to tend to stay indoors more and be near certain bacteria. , fungus or virus.
Pneumonia is described as an inflammation of tissue in one or both lungs and is caused by bacterial and viral infections, is contagious and can be spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. , which shoots respiratory droplets into the air. Therefore, it is important to take certain precautions to protect yourself, especially during the winter when the disease is more common.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Vivek Singh, Director of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Medanta in Gurugram, explains: “When temperatures drop, bacteria, viruses and fungi are more likely to remain stable. airborne and exists as respiratory droplets. In addition, during winter, our immunity tends to decrease, weakening the system and damaging the airways, creating a clear passage for bacteria and viruses that cause infections in the lungs. “
There are some high-risk groups that have low immunity because certain characteristics or conditions they have that make them more susceptible to pneumonia. According to Dr Vivek Singh, these groups are:
• Children under 5 years old and the elderly from 60 to 65 years old
• People with chronic diseases affecting vital organs such as lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, etc.
• Smokers are also more susceptible to pneumonia than non-smokers.
Therefore, we should always stay healthy, take medicines on schedule to control other diseases and vaccinate if they are in the high-risk group. Dr Vivek Singh said: “Pneumonia symptoms are often confused with those of the flu, or flu-like illness, because both diseases share similar symptoms. Both of these conditions can cause coughing, fever, sweating, chills, and muscle aches. However, pneumonia is a more serious lung infection, while flu is an infection that affects the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract.
Revealing the most common causes of today’s common cases, he said, “Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common cause of spread of pneumonia. It can happen outside of a hospital or other healthcare setting. It can be caused by bacteria and viruses present in the air we breathe. Normally, our bodies protect us from harmful bacteria that get into our lungs. Even if your health is generally good, sometimes these viruses have the ability to overwhelm your immune system. In addition, Covid-19 can also cause pneumonia, which can worsen if not controlled in time.”
Discussing how to recognize pneumonia cough fever and what are the initial symptoms, the medical expert said: “The severity of pneumonia symptoms depends on the cause of the disease as well as the general health of each person. People. People may have a high fever, coughing up blood, yellow or green mucus, decreased appetite, sharp pain in the chest, rapid and shallow breathing, difficulty breathing or wheezing, and discoloration of the lips and fingernails paleness, loss of appetite, dehydration, irritability and sweating, etc. Increased heart rate and fatigue due to intense coughing are also common.”
He added: “Children can experience breathing problems, fever, colds and wheezing. In most cases, newborns and infants show no signs of infection; however, some may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, fever, cough, irritability, fatigue, lack of energy, shortness of breath and difficulty eating. If you have a persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, as well as a persistent cough with pus or blood, you should see your doctor or pulmonologist immediately.”
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking the right safety precautions can keep a person safe, healthy, and free of pneumonia. Recommending effective tips to prevent pneumonia during winter, Dr. Vivek Singh recommends –
• Pneumonia vaccine: The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal bacterial infections. It is also known as the pneumonia vaccine. There are two types of pneumonia vaccines prescribed: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax 23). The pneumococcal vaccine is usually recommended for children and adults over age 65. They are also strongly prescribed to people aged 19 to 64 years with co-morbidities such as chronic heart disease, liver disease, HIV, diabetes, leukemia, chronic lung disease, etc. Use under the guidance of a physician. If you are allergic to vaccines, are pregnant, or have a severe cold or flu, you should consult your doctor before getting the vaccine.
• Hand hygiene: Although pneumonia is not contagious, it can be caused by a variety of infectious organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Hand washing can help avoid transferring these organisms into your respiratory system.
• Avoid contact with sick people: This is an important step in preventing respiratory infections and pneumonia, as most respiratory infections can be spread through small particles in the air or on surfaces we touch.
• Adjust healthy habits: In addition to the above important steps, it is very important to adopt healthy habits as they make our immunity strong and play a key role in building resistance to infections. can lead to pneumonia of the body. People should get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, be physically active, exercise for 45 minutes, avoid smoking, and avoid exposure to areas rich in pollution and toxic chemicals. Staying hydrated in the winter also helps.
