Tips to protect yourself from pneumonia

Underestimating disease is one of the most serious mistakes you can make in the 21st century. But this is common. This happens, for example, with pneumonia, which annually celebrates its anniversary on November 12th. world day

turned into “the largest cause of death among adults and children from infectious causes in the world, including in Spain”how he warns Angel Gil de MiguelProfessor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the Rey Juan Carlos University and member of the Neumoexpertos en Prevention group.

The data is compelling because, as confirmed by the latest mortality statistics by cause of death prepared by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and published last June, “among the most common diseases, the most common are those belonging to the respiratory group. So, “Mortality from pneumonia increased by 17.1%, and from chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract – by 2.6%.

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Thus, morbidity pneumonia in Spain, according to various studies, is estimated from two to ten cases per 1000 inhabitants per year. And we must not forget that in European countries the share of hospitalizations according to severe criteria ranges from 20% to 40%. More than convincing numbers to take this pathology very seriously.

To understand the significance of this disease, it is appropriate to remember that “pneumonia It is a lower respiratory tract infection that can be caused by bacteria such as pneumococcus, viruses such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or rhinovirus, and fungi. “explains Dr. Isabel GimenoDirector of the Isla de Osa Medical Center in Madrid, Head of the Vaccine Group of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG), and member of the Neumoexpertos en Prevention group.

The most vulnerable

Pneumonia is not a disease that affects only a few because, as Dr. Jimeno warns, “We are all susceptible to lower respiratory tract infections, which can get worse. “We mostly see it in older people over 60, but it also occurs in young children and healthy adults.” However, there are some factors that give much more voice to upset the balance of gravity. “On the one side, “Age is the most determining criterion because the passage of time is usually associated with the presence of other underlying chronic diseases.”admits Gil de Miguel. Keeping in mind that “the older you are, the weaker your immune system, which increases your risk of infection,” adds Dr. Jimeno.

Those older people are added “all these people, regardless of age, with comorbidities such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, transplant recipients or immunodeficiencies, as well as smoking or alcoholism”– details Gil de Miguel, who emphasizes that “some lifestyle problems work against us, for example, poor diet or taking certain medications, so it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and follow the recommendations of health workers.”

This is not surprising, since pneumonia r.This can be serious and result in hospitalization for a large percentage of patients. (in 2021, 61,000 people entered Spain because of this, according to the Ministry of Health). “These hospitalizations may occur due to respiratory complications, as well as destabilization of the underlying pathologies affecting the patient. All this This harms the quality of life of those affected because even if they are cured of this pneumonia, they will have difficulty regaining control of other chronic diseases and will be weaker.which leads to a higher mortality rate,” admits Dr. Jimeno.

How does it spread and what symptoms does it cause?

pneumonia It is spread from person to person through direct contact with respiratory secretions such as mucus and saliva.. And it is important to differentiate it from other respiratory infections. “This can cause chest pain, muscle discomfort, difficulty breathing, fatigue, high fever and a productive cough, which usually includes green mucus,” Gil de Miguel elaborates. That’s why, “We should not get rid of a cough that we see does not go away after a few days, and we should see a family doctor, because early detection and appropriate treatment saves lives.”“, says Dr. Jimeno.

Report prepared jointly with Pfizer