Over the course of the past year, 45 children aged 0-5 died from pneumonia. According to experts, it is very alarming that more than half of these children died at home. The data was presented by the National Agency for Public Health in the context of the World Pneumonia Day, marked November 12.
The title of this year's edition is: "Every breath matters!" Pneumonia is a respiratory disease commonly contracted by children. It is one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of 5, killing worldwide 2400 children a day.
Pneumonia is caused by infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and fungi, while the most common infectious agent is Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and respiratory syncytial virus.
Specialists warn that undernutrition, malnutrition, pre-existing diseases, symptomatic infections of HIV and the measles virus, weaken the immune system and boost the risk factors that influence the onset of pneumonia. Pollution of indoor air caused by cooking and heating with biomass fuel, living in crowded houses and smoking, represent a considerable influence for the triggering of pneumonia.
Treating pneumonia is an expensive process. For this reason, preventive measures, such as exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, adequate nutrition and vitamin A supplementation, as well as reducing air pollution, especially indoors, are of major importance. Additionally, children should be immunized against pathogens: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Pertussis and Rujeola.
