Pneumonia remains deadly, although solution in hand
Although there are effective and affordable tools to combat Pneumonia, the disease remains the leading cause of death of children under the age of five around the world including Bangladesh. Improving the access to antibiotic treatment, use of vaccine at affordable cost, strengthening the referral system could save millions of children who are struggling to breathe due to pneumonia. Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs claims one child in every 20 seconds. Approximately 98 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries like Bangladesh. Children especially in the poorest communities, under 5 years of age, malnourished, having immunodeficiency diseases are at risk of contracting pneumonia. There are several simple cost-effective ways to protect and prevent children from catching pneumonia, and to treat those suffering with the illness. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is one of the best ways to protect children from pneumonia and many other diseases. It can reduce the rate of pneumonia among young infants by 15 to 23 percent. As undernourished children are at higher risk improving nutritional status by locally available foods and by disseminating knowledge on nutrition can significantly improve immunity and reduce deaths from pneumonia. Babies born with a low birth weight are at risk for pneumonia, other health problems, and even death. Improving prenatal care for expecting mothers can help to reduce the number of babies born with a low birth weight. These babies need appropriate care to reduce their risk of illness of death. Tobacco smoke and other indoor air pollution can also increase chances of being more susceptible to pneumonia. Reducing indoor air pollution can help to protect children from pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Hand washing is the most important cost-effective way to reduce the spread of germs of pneumonia and other diseases. Pneumococcal and Hib vaccines (against pneumonia causing germs) are safe to prevent pneumonia before it occurs. In Bangladesh, children have now access to Hib vaccine only, whereas Pneumococcal vaccine is used throughout most of the developed world to protect children from Pneumonia. Other routine vaccines like vaccines for measles and whooping cough that are included in the EPI schedule should be ensured, as they can lead to Pneumonia as a complication. Supplementation of Zinc also plays an important role to prevent childhood Pneumonia and reduce the risk of death by 14 to 25 percent. Even after the preventive measures, if any child shows signs/symptoms of Pneumonia (fever, shortness of breathe, cough, lethargy, headache, shaking chills, sweating), we need to bring the child to a healthcare facility. The child should be treated promptly with readily available effective antibiotic. If the case is severe and cannot be managed by first line healthcare settings, referral should be done without any undue prolongation.
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