Three groups of people are susceptible to pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma including alveoli, alveoli bags, alveolu tubes, interstitial bonding organization and end -bronchitis. The alveoli, air pathway in the lungs may be filled with liquid or pus, causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, chest pain and shortness of breath. Many agents cause pneumonia, often caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi.

Master, Doctor Dang Thanh Do, Department of Respiratory, Tam Anh Hanoi General Hospital, said that some people at high risk of this disease include:

Children

Children under 5 years of age are at high risk and death from pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, about 150 million pneumonia occurs in children in developing countries. The organization also estimates that about 4,300 children died from pneumonia worldwide. Particularly in Vietnam, about 2.9 million children have pneumonia each year.

Pregnant woman

During pregnancy, the immune system of women decreases, so they are susceptible to viruses and bacteria, so pregnant women are susceptible to pneumonia. Pneumonia during pregnancy can seriously affect the health of pregnant women and the fetus. The disease increases the risk of pregnancy complications, premature birth, which can cause miscarriage. Ordinary people with mild pneumonia can be treated at home, the disease can cure for about 2-3 weeks. Pregnant women suspected of having pneumonia should immediately see a doctor and treat immediately as directed by the doctor to avoid the health of themselves and the fetus.

Elderly

This group of people often have weak health, poor adaptability, many chronic diseases, so in the period when the weather changes seasons, they are susceptible to respiratory diseases, including pneumonia. Elderly people with untreated pneumonia can lead to many complications, typically respiratory failure.

Other risk factors also increase pneumonia such as patients who have to be treated in special care rooms, use of breathing machine, people with chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), disease, disease heart. Smoking is also a habit of damaging the body’s natural defense system, affecting the ability to fight bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia. The immune system is weakened or inhibited as a person with HIV/AIDS infection, has been transplanted or chemotherapy, long -term steroids are at high risk.

Different pneumonia manifestations depending on the severity to severe to severe, as the cause of the disease, age and overall health of the patient. In mild patients, the signs are often similar to colds or flu, but lasts longer.

Symptoms of pneumonia may include chest pain when you breathe or cough, cough with phlegm, fatigue, fever, sweat, chills, shortness of breath, some cases may be nausea, vomiting, vomiting, diarrhea. Babies, children with diseases may vomit, high fever, convulsions, cough, irritation, fatigue, shortness of breath, stop feeding, stop eating, cyanosis, libidy, chest concave. In some cases, there may not be any signs of pneumonia warning.

Dr. Do said the vaccine can prevent a number of pneumonia and influenza agents for children and adults. To prevent respiratory infections, people should wash their hands often or use alcoholic hand disinfectants, wear masks. Need to gargle daily with salt water or antiseptic solution. This habit helps kill bacteria in the throat, dilute phlegm, clear the airway, minimize complications due to infection.

Do not smoke active or passive by cigarette smoke that damages the natural protection of the lungs against respiratory infections. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, ensure a healthy diet is also a measure to keep the immune system strong, protect health.