World Pneumonia Day 2023: Defeat Pneumonia, Every Action Matters
Did you know that pneumonia is a major player in the world of infectious diseases, taking a toll on both adults and children? It’s the leading infectious killer of kids under five globally. But here’s the good news – it’s treatable and preventable provided you undergo a timely diagnosis!
As part of the 2023 theme “Championing the fight to stop pneumonia”, this blog aims to highlight the symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of timely diagnosis of this treatable and preventable disease.
Unraveling Pneumonia: What to Look Out For
So, what exactly is pneumonia? Well, it’s a contagious respiratory disorder that messes with the air sacs in your lungs, those little guys called “alveoli.” Imagine this: fluid or pus builds up, making breathing a bit of a challenge.
And guess what? We’re entering the season of sniffles and coughs – winter! While most of us brush off these symptoms as the usual flu, doctors warn that it could be more like community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Common signs to watch out for include:
- Excessive phlegm or mucus accompanied by a cough
- Fatigue
- High fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive sweating and chills
- Diarrhea
People aged 65 and above may also experience a lower body temperature and a slight dip in cognitive abilities. Kids might experience constant vomiting, nausea, and a perpetual sense of tiredness. In severe cases, pneumonia can even play with your mind causing confusion, forgetfulness, and mental clouding.
The risk factors include:
- Children and elderly (age < 2 years and > 65 years)
- Smoking
- Alcohol intake
- Presence of co-morbidities like diabetes, chronic lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and chronic heart/kidney/liver diseases,
- Cochlear implant
- Any immunosuppressive state like AIDS, cancers, prolonged courses of steroids, and immunosuppressive therapy.
Prevalence of Pneumonia in India and Abroad
Pneumonia takes the lives of over 700,000 kids under five every year, or around 2,000 every day. In short, a child across the world dies of pneumonia every 42 seconds. Globally, we’re looking at 1,400 cases per 100,000 children or 1 case per 71 children every year, with hotspots in South Asia and West and Central Africa.
India is shouldering a hefty burden, contributing 23% to the global pneumonia woe with a case fatality rate ranging from 14 to 30%. Childhood pneumonia is responsible for 14% of under-five mortality, with an annual report of 3.6 to 4.0 million cases and 0.35 to 0.37 million deaths. The current mortality rate is 33 per 1,000 live births.
As age increases, the incidence of pneumonia requiring hospitalization significantly reduces. Globally, the mortality rate is equal among boys and girls whereas in India, mortality is 1.2 times higher in girls.
Almost all of these deaths are preventable provided you undergo a timely diagnosis.
Diagnose Pneumonia with Yoda’s Respiratory Pathogen Panel
How do we tackle this invisible enemy? Say hello to Yoda Diagnostics! They’re offering a specialized comprehensive respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) detection using molecular genetic testing in addition to routine pneumonia tests.
Wondering why should you choose the respiratory pathogen panel over other routine diagnostic tests? Here’s the list of key features:
- Covers more than 32+ pathogens viruses and bacteria
- High sensitivity (95%) and specificity (99%)
- Provide more accurate pathogen identification
- 24 hours turnaround time
- Reduce the unwarranted use of antibiotics
- Optimize patient management with clinically actionable results
- Prevent the secondary spread of infection
- Helps determine if there is a co-infection or if a virus or bacterium is resistant to treatment
- Reduces the length of hospital/ICU stay
- Reduces the cost-of-care
- Easy sample collection method
Furthermore, lab technicians may spot only one microbe with traditional testing but can detect multiple pathogens with a respiratory panel. Additionally, this testing method is faster than conventional screenings, as results often are ready within hours – rather than days. All you need is just a nasal swab.
RPP test helps doctors choose the best treatment and prevent ineffective treatments, like prescribing an antibiotic for a virus, thereby reducing the length or severity of the illness. Timely treatment for pneumonia improves outcomes quickly.
A Call to Action: Let’s Make Pneumonia History!
Pneumonia is a serious health concern. But guess what? We can defeat it with the right knowledge, timely diagnosis, and a commitment to our health. Let’s join hands, spread the word, and make sure everyone gets the right diagnosis at the right time because no one should succumb to a preventable disease.
This World Pneumonia Day, let’s shout it from the rooftops – we’re ready to face this challenge, head-on, together! If you or your loved ones show any pneumonia symptoms, opt for the Respiratory Pathogen Panel test at Yoda Diagnostics. Fast, accurate, and affordable results are just a call away at 040-35353535. Instead of just talking about it, let’s do it!
