How to protect yourself against pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus or other microbes from inhaled dust, chemical irritants, food or aspiration.

Germs are normally found in the throat. If the immune system is weak, for example in HIV infection, diabetes and cancer, the germs can enter and multiply in the lungs causing pneumonia.

Fluid and pus collect in the air sacs limiting the supply of oxygen to the blood preventing the body cells from functioning properly. Pneumonia can also follow influenza or be linked to other viral illnesses.

There are many signs and symptoms of pneumonia including cough, sore throat, fever and chills, muscle aches and fatigue, rapid breathing, chest or abdominal pain.

Symptoms vary from one person to another and only a few individuals experience all of them at once. With bacterial pneumonia, a person tends to become sick very quickly. He or she develops high fever and has difficulty breathing. In the case of viral pneumonia, symptoms generally appear more gradually and may be less severe.

To diagnose pneumonia a doctor will take a medical history and carry out a physical examination. If there is suspicion that you have pneumonia the doctor may order a chest X-ray and blood tests. Most cases of pneumonia are treated using antibiotics. The doctor may prescribe medicine for fever and advise the patient to take warm liquids, which help to soothe coughs and loosen secretions. Warm moist air aids to make breathing easier. It is essential to have plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.

It is vital that a patient visits the hospital if body temperature rises above 38_C 24 hours after starting antimicrobial treatment. If symptoms such as severe chest pain, increased shortness of breath, bluish colour of skin and nails and diarrhoea occur after taking medicines, the patient should seek immediate medical attention.

To protect others pneumonia patients should avoid sneezing or coughing close to others and to cough in cupped hands covering the nose and mouth. Used tissues should be binned and hands washed frequently.

— The writer is Aga Khan University Hospital Programme Administrator for Maternal and Child Health