Daily Times

LAHORE: The World Pneumonia Day is being commemorated around the world as well as in Pakistan on Saturday (today) to raise awareness about the fatal disease. Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects lungs and remains the leading killer of children around the world.

“We are fortunate to be living in this age when the pneumonia vaccine is available, yet, it is a leading cause of death for children under the age of five years around the world. According to World Health Organisation, a child dies from pneumonia infection every 20 seconds,” said Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre Pulmonary and Intensive Care Consultant Dr Fatima Ajaz while speaking to the media on Friday.

She said that pneumonia could be caused through different organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, adding that the disease could be acquired through community or in healthcare settings. She said that the population most at risk of acquiring this disease include immune-compromised children, adults aged 65 and above, and people with pre-existing health issues such as lung diseases, diabetes, kidney disease and cancer. She emphasised on the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure, especially for immuno-compromised groups who are susceptible to develop complications due to pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia include cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever, said Dr Fatima. She advised that if anyone has these symptoms, he/she should visit a general health physician for clinical evaluation. “To diagnose pneumonia, X-Ray scans, sputum culture, and blood tests are carried out that help to detect the disease-causing organism. This is important because identifying the type of organism helps to determine the treatment plan. For example, bacterial pneumonia is effectively treated by antibiotics, but the same treatment will not be effective against viral pneumonia,” she elaborated.

In her message to the public, Dr Fatima Ajaz said that all those who fall in the immuno-compromised groups especially those who smoke, have diabetes or have kidney disease, should get pneumonia vaccination. It is important to take preventive measures because complications of pneumonia could prove fatal, she warned.

Meanwhile, a walk was organised in the Directorate General Health Services that was led by Punjab Health DG Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed. Programme managers and staff of the provincial directorate also participated in the walk.