The COVID 19 virus can cause pneumonia. But what else do you know about pneumonia? watch this video for Pneumonia Explained.

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Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, resulting in the air sacs become inflamed and fill up with phlegm and pus, and sometimes even fluid.
The quickest and fastest way to diagnose pneumonia is through a chest X-ray - where white hazy patches may show up in the lung fields.
A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungus, can cause pneumonia. COVID-19 is one of the organisms.
Symptoms of pneumonia may vary from individual to individual.
They include cough, phlegm production, shortness of breath, fever with chills, chest pain, in severe cases or in elderly patients, even confusion and drowsiness. Please see your doctor if you are suffering from the above symptoms as pneumonia can be potentially fatal.

Pneumonia is a very serious condition.
In Singapore, Pneumonia is the second most common cause of death after cancer. World health organization (WHO) estimates that between 250,000 to 5 million people die of pneumonia from influenza annually.
In fact, pneumonia accounts for about 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years old!
Some of the common causes of pneumonia include
1) virus infection: such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV ), the current feared COVID-19 virus, rhinovirus
2) bacterial infection such as streptococcus pneumonia, chlamydia, and mycoplasma pneumonia, legionella, tuberculosis
3) & less commonly, fungal infection

Risk factors of getting pneumonia includes
- elderlies older than 65
- children 5 years or younger
- smokers
- patients with chronic lung conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, or heart diseases
- patients who are hospitalized
- patients who have weakened immune systems like HIV patients, or patients who are on chemotherapy or post organ transplant.

So then, how can we prevent ourselves and others from getting pneumonia?
1) make sure you get vaccinated against the pathogens that can cause pneumonia. I will discuss more vaccinations later on
2) practice good hygiene by regularly washing your hands and sanitizing your hands and to wear masks and rest at home if you are having cough and flu symptoms
3) stop smoking
4) keeping your immune system strong: by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet.

Can vaccines help prevent pneumonia?
Definitely!
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic - The covid-19 vaccine significantly lowers our chance of catching the virus.
So please get it done if you do not have contraindications to it - please watch my video on the Covid 19 vaccine and the side effects of the covid 19 vaccines to learn more about the contra-indications.
And in doing so, vaccines can prevent pneumonia caused by COVID-19.

Some of the other vaccines that may help prevent pneumonia includes
1) influenza vaccine: which is typically done yearly - click on the link above to find out more about influenza.
2) Hemophilus influenza vaccine
3) pertussis vaccine
4) pneumococcal vaccines

For children born and living in Singapore,
They routinely receive the 5-in-1 vaccines before they are 1 year of age - this vaccine will protect the children against Hemophilus influenza and pertussis.
We would also strongly encourage children less than 5 and seniors older than 65 to get their flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccines.
Please consult your family physician to find out more about it!
In fact, these vaccines are heavily subsidized and in the appropriate age groups may even be free!

The treatment of pneumonia, in general, depends on the severity of the infection.
For patients who are very sick, they have to be admitted to the hospital and receive Intravenous antibiotics and supportive treatment like supplementary oxygen and close monitoring.
For others, we may treat them outpatient with oral antibiotics and see them regularly to assess their improvement and eventual recovery.

In essence, do recognize that pneumonia is very common, especially in the very young and elderly.
It can be treated and recovery is often complete.
See your doctor early if you have symptoms of pneumonia, especially in light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Please like and subscribe to my channel if you find the information useful.
Till the next time, stay safe and healthy.

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