Did you know pneumonia is a major cause of death in children under the age of 5?
World Pneumonia Day is commemorated annually on 12 November.
In this infectious respiratory disease, the lungs (alveoli) are filled with pus and fluid, causing difficulty in breathing due to limited intake of oxygen.
It is caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi, which can spread through airborne droplets from a cough or sneeze.
Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) treated 23 011 children younger than 5 years old for pneumonia from November 2021 to May 2022.
In the same period 6 510 children under 5 were hospitalised with pneumonia. WCGH facilities recorded 22 deaths of children under the age of 5, although more children died at home.
“Pneumonia is to an extent a preventable cause of death in children,” says Sr Petronella Peters, Primary Health Care Manager, Knysna and Bitou. “Immunisation, good nutrition and avoiding exposure to smoke are key to preventing pneumonia in children.
“Childhood pneumonia can cause long-term poor health, setting the stage for the development of chronic illness into adulthood.
“We urge parents and caretakers to ensure that their children are fully immunised as we have effective vaccines for preventing pneumonia.”
Prevention
Good nutrition plays an important role in enabling children’s immune systems to protect them from diseases and to help them learn and grow.
One way to ensure adequate nutrition is by starting with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.
In addition to being effective in preventing pneumonia, nutrition also helps to reduce the length of the illness if a child does become ill.
Addressing environmental factors, such as indoor air pollution (by providing affordable clean indoor stoves, for example) and encouraging good hygiene in crowded homes, also reduces the number of children who get pneumonia.
Research has shown that children who have mothers or family members who smoke have a greater risk of developing pneumonia and serious illness.
Immunisation is also one of the most important advances in preventing pneumonia in children, and is also highly effective for preventing some forms of pneumonia in adults.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.
Common symptoms include:. A cough which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood stained mucus (phlegm);. Breathing difficulties – child’s breathing may be rapid and shallow;. High temperature (fever);. Sweating and shivering;. Loss of appetite; and. Chest or back pain, which gets worse when breathing or coughing.
What to do should your child show any of these symptoms:
Take your child to your nearest clinic. If the clinic is closed (after hours or weekend) so take your child to the nearest emergency centre or call an ambulance on 10177.
