November 12 is World Pneumonia Day, one of the most common diseases in the world. Mortality from pneumonia has risen sharply this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pneumonia, or pneumonia, is an acute infectious disease that affects the lung tissue. It is localized in air bubbles (alveoli). In a healthy person, the alveoli are filled with air and function normally during respiration, and in a patient with pneumonia, mucus and fluid accumulate, causing pain and limiting oxygen flow.
COVID-19 pneumonia (viral) differs from normal pneumonia (bacterial) by a particularly severe course of the disease. In the case of coronavirus pneumonia, all lungs are usually affected, not just small parts.
According to the dean of the medical faculty of the Cabinet of Ministers, candidate of medical sciences, thoracic surgeon, Simonts Yevhen Mykolayovych, for the prevention of pneumonia it is necessary:
• avoid hypothermia and stress;
• wash your hands with soap more often, 15-30 seconds to remove microorganisms that can cause pneumonia;
• do not smoke. Cigarette combustion products damage the bronchi and lungs, reduce their resistance to respiratory infections;
• protect the respiratory system. Inhalation of dust, strong chemical compounds is harmful to lung tissue;
• prefer foods rich in vitamins and trace elements;
• do breathing exercises;
• avoid contact with patients with influenza and other respiratory infections, measles, chickenpox (if you have not had these infections). Pneumonia can be a complication of these diseases;
• timely treatment of chronic foci of infection. Tonsillitis, carious teeth, infections in other organs are sources of pathogenic flora that can get into the lungs;
• undergo regular preventive examinations and radiographs;
• do not neglect preventive vaccinations.
Follow these simple rules and stay healthy!
