Pneumonia each year claims over 2 million lives worldwide, including of 800,000 children. In the Republic of Moldova, almost 1,150 people died of pneumonia last year, including 31 children under the age of 5. The data were presented by the National Public Health Agency in connection with World Pneumonia Day, which is marked on November 12, IPN reports.
According to specialists, pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, which affect the lungs, limiting the supply of oxygen to the body’s cells. Those most at risk of getting pneumonia are children under 5 and adults over 70 years of age.
Those most at risk are children living in areas with low vaccination rates and malnutrition, as well as the elderly exposed to air pollution (from burned fossil fuels and smoking).
The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to very serious, the most common being: cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, general malaise, fatigue, etc. Other symptoms can vary depending on the cause, severity of the disease, age and other factors.
Risk factors that increase susceptibility to pneumonia include limited access to prevention and care services, malnutrition, air pollution following the burning of fossil fuels and tobacco use, the presence of chronic diseases, etc.
By 2030, pneumonia could kill almost 6 million more people if decisive action is not taken. To reduce deaths from pneumonia, WHO and UNICEF recommend that countries accelerate action by implementing a combination of protection-focused interventions, including promoting exclusive breastfeeding and healthy nutrition, increasing vaccination coverage, reducing air pollution, improving access to water, sanitation and promoting hygiene practices, etc.
World Pneumonia Day was initiated by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia within the “Stop Pneumonia” Initiative and supported by WHO and UNICEF to raise awareness of pneumonia prevention and treatment measures. The theme for World Pneumonia Day 2024, “Every Breath Counts: Stop Pneumonia in Its Tracks,” underlines the importance of respiratory health and the urgency of addressing pneumonia as a global health priority.
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