Pollution Linked to Pneumonia in Kids

Due to increasing pollution, the amount of people reaching hospitals complaining of difficulty in breathing has increased by about 15 percent, say health experts.

Increasing pollution and weather changes are making children aged below 5 vulnerable to pneumonia, say health experts.

Vaishnavi, a resident of Noida's Sector 93, said that her 7-year-old son has been sick with cold, and faces difficulty in breathing since the past few months. She added that they visited several doctors who prescribed different medicines but to no avail.

Pneumonia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by a bacteria or a virus. It causes inflammation of the alveoli or the air sacs of the lungs.

‘Children are falling prey to pneumonia due to increase in cold and pollution. Those who have not been vaccinated are at a greater risk of falling ill.’

Pediatrician Dr. D.K. Gupta said that children suffering from pneumonia are being admitted in the OPD and that identification of its symptoms in time can ensure treatment to save them.

Rising Pneumonia Cases in Children

Gupta said that children need special care in the winter season as they are at a larger risk of pneumonia.

He suggested that some preventive measures that can be taken to ensure children's safety are to keep them fully clothed and to keep their ears covered to protect them from cold.

He added that wheezing in the chest can be a sign of pneumonia in children.

Quiz on Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious respiratory tract infection that is often life-threatening in the elderly, children or those with reduced immunity. See how much you know about pneumonia by taking this quiz.

Most children below the age of five face difficulty in breathing and drinking milk due to pneumonia.

They are susceptible to various other problems like fever, ear infection, diarrhea and measles which is a highly contagious disease caused by measles virus.

Top 15 Facts on Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, affecting the young, the elderly and the immunocompromised. The lungs become heavy with fluid, causing breathing difficulty.

Vaccination is highly effective in preventing measles.

Droplets spread in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When a healthy person breathes them in, they become infected.

The Lungs
The lungs are our organs of respiration. It is within these, that exchange of gases takes place.

Regular vaccination of children was affected during the pandemic which resulted in their course of vaccine remaining uncompleted.

Lung infection is caused by bacteria, virus and fungal infection. Cold, on the other hand, is a type of allergy, which results in a runny nose and mucus in the throat.

Vaccines like Pneumococcal vaccine, PCV 13, Hemophilus influenzae type B, can protect the children from bacterial pneumonia.

Washing hands regularly with soap or handwash, avoiding direct contact with infected people, covering the face with elbow while sneezing prevents catching pneumonia.

What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia

Chest pain, especially while breathing or coughing

Cough that produces phlegm or mucus; of yellow, green or blood red color

Excessive fatigue

Loss of appetite

Fever

sweating and chills

Nausea and vomiting

Source-IANS