Pneumonia can affect anyone, stay safe!
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can strike anyone, but it often hits harder in regions where people have limited access to healthcare. We can all do our bit to stay safe and healthy by recognising the early warning signs and knowing when to get help.
Quick Read:
- Pneumonia is a leading cause of illness in many African countries, especially among children under five.
- This illness happens when the air sacs in the lungs inflame and full up with fluid or pus.
- This makes it difficult to breathe and for the body to receive the oxygen it needs.
How does pneumonia start?
This illness often happens after a cold or the flu and is typically caused by bacteria or viruses.
Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs, leading to inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli). This inflammation can cause the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus, resulting in symptoms like coughing up phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Pneumonia is not to be underestimated. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death in children younger than five years.
Here are six ways to identify possible signs of this condition and to manage your health.
6 signs and symptoms of pneumonia
A constant cough: Feel like you’ve had that cough forever? A cough that doesn’t seem to go away may be an indicator of pneumonia, especially if you also have thick mucus. Also, check if there’s blood in the mucus, or it’s streaked with green or yellow – time to get to a doctor.
Breathing problems: You should NEVER ignore breathing problems! Pay attention if you’re struggling to catch a breath or breathing rapidly. Watch for this in children too, and get urgent medical care.
Fever and chills: One minute you’re hot, then cold, then sweating. These sudden spikes in your body temperature could be your body telling you it’s pneumonia. You should know that a fever helps fight off infection, but a high fever over a few days could mean the infection is serious and needs medical attention.
Chest pain: This is another important sign that you should not ignore. Pain in the chest that worsens when you cough or breathe deeply is a common symptom of pneumonia. This pain is caused by inflammation in the lungs or the lining of the chest cavity.
Blue lips/skin/nails: This could be a sign that your body isn’t getting enough oxygen, which can be a life-threatening complication of pneumonia. If you notice this, please get medical help immediately.
Feeling confused: Watch for this sign, especially in older people. If they seem confused, delirious and unaware of what they’re saying or doing, get medical help as soon as possible. These factors may be due to a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream.
Staying safe from pneumonia
- Ask at your local clinic about getting a vaccine. Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent pneumonia, especially for children and the elderly. Make sure that your children receive their scheduled immunisations, like the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against a common bacterial cause of pneumonia.
- Take care of your immune system as best as you can with healthy food. A strong immune system can help fight off infections. Stock up on fruit and vegetables that have plenty of Vitamin C, like oranges, spinach, kale, and moringa leaves. Also, garlic and ginger have natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help fight infections.
- Practise good hygiene. Frequent hand washing can reduce the spread of germs. Teach children to wash their hands with soap, especially after coughing, sneezing or before eating.
If you have asthma, diabetes or heart disease, you’re more at risk of complications from pneumonia. Manage these conditions by taking medications and following your doctor’s advice. Pneumonia is a silent threat that can become deadly if not treated in time. But by knowing the warning signs and taking practical steps to stay healthy, we can reduce its impact.
Images: Freepik
