Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by infections by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Although pneumonia itself is not contagious, the microorganisms that cause this disease can be transmitted from one person to another, making it easier for the disease to settle in people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, children, people who smoke or people who have a nutritional deficiency, for example.
Thus, it is important to adopt strategies that can decrease the chances of having pneumonia, such as washing your hands well, getting an annual flu vaccination and controlling allergic rhinitis attacks, for example.
How to prevent pneumonia
The prevention of pneumonia happens through measures that can strengthen the immune system, preventing not only this, but also other diseases caused by microorganisms and that can be easily transmitted from one person to another. So, the 7 main tips to prevent pneumonia are:
- Stay well hydrated and well nourished, with a balanced diet and about 2 liters of water per day, as a very active immunity and able to fight the causative agents, such as viruses and bacteria, before the infection reaches the lungs. In addition, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages, since alcohol consumption can interfere with immunity and facilitate the aspiration of secretions and vomiting, favoring the occurrence of pneumonia; Avoid smoking, as smoking causes inflammation in the tissues of the airways that facilitate the proliferation of microorganisms, in addition to decreasing the lung's ability to promote the expulsion of the microorganism; Control allergic rhinitis crises, by avoiding situations that trigger allergy, such as dust, animal hair, pollen or mites, for example, because the inflammation caused by the allergy can act as a gateway for viruses, bacteria and fungi; Keep the air conditioner clean and in conditions suitable for use, as they usually leave the air very dry and spread agents that cause allergies; Humidify the air, using the humidifier or placing a basin of water in the rooms at night, especially in winter, when the air gets drier and increases the amount of air pollution and irritation of the airways; Keep your hands clean, with frequent washing or use of alcohol gel, whenever you are in public environments, such as shopping malls, buses or subways; Avoid closed and crowded places, especially in times of infection epidemics, as this facilitates transmission. See what they are and how to avoid the most common winter diseases; Vaccinate yourself annually against the flu, since the vaccines are prepared to protect against the most dangerous viruses that circulate in the environment throughout the year, being very important to be done for children up to 5 years old, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart diseases and lung diseases.
In addition, people who have chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases or liver diseases, for example, must always keep them well treated and controlled, with the correct use of medicines and medical monitoring, as the decompensation of these diseases compromises immunity and facilitates infection of the lungs.
How to prevent childhood pneumonia
Babies and children up to about 2 years old already have a predisposition to infections due to the immune system still developing. For this reason, it is important not to expose the child to contact with people with respiratory infections, such as colds and flu, in addition to avoiding frequent overloaded environments or with excessive pollution and cigarette smoke, especially during periods of infection epidemics.
The diet should also be well balanced, preferably with exclusive breastfeeding until around 6 months, so that the child's defenses are well developed, and start introducing new foods as directed by the pediatrician. Check what is the proper feeding and what is the ideal feeding routine for the baby.
In addition, children should also be vaccinated annually for the flu, especially those with a history of repeated infections or who have lung problems, such as bronchitis and asthma.
Is pneumonia severe?
Most of the time, pneumonia is not serious, and can be treated at home according to its cause, usually with antibiotic pills, such as Amoxicillin and Azithromycin, and some care such as rest and hydration, guided by the doctor. Check out some more guidelines for treating pneumonia.
However, in some cases, pneumonia can progress severely, causing signs such as difficulty breathing, mental confusion and changes in the functioning of other organs. In these cases, hospitalization, use of medications in the vein and even use of oxygen to aid breathing is necessary.
Some factors that determine the severity of pneumonia are:
- Type of microorganism, which can be more aggressive, such as bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , for example, which are very dangerous because they have a great capacity for infection and are resistant to many antibiotics; Immunity of the person, which is important to create barriers and prevent infection of the lungs, being impaired in the elderly, babies and people with autoimmune diseases, AIDS, cancer or decompensated diabetes, for example; Time to start treatment, as a quick detection and early treatment start prevents the infection from getting worse and becoming more difficult to treat.
Thus, in the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate pneumonia, it is important to undergo a medical evaluation for a quick diagnosis and the start of treatment as soon as possible.
