Fight against pneumonia. The contest continues.
November for the World Day against Pneumonia was chosen not by chance, as it is the last month of autumn, is a period of outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory diseases, against which pneumonia can occur.
Pneumonia at the turn of the second and third decades of the 21st century is significantly different from those manifestations of the disease that we met 30-40 years ago. For example, severe clinical cases of both viral and bacterial etiology have become more frequent. Along with the typical or classic picture caused by pneumococcus, which is characterized by feverish period of no more than 4 days, relief of cough on the 4th-9th day, disappearance of wheezing in the lungs by the 7th-10th day of the disease, Increasingly, we are talking about atypical pneumonia caused by mycoplasma, which easily penetrates into healthy cells of the lungs and bronchi. Or pneumonia caused by another atypical microorganism– legionella, which lives in the systems of air conditioning, as well as in bathrooms, shower installations and in natural reservoirs.
It would seem that 16 classes of antibiotics, including hundreds of drugs, should cope with lower respiratory tract infections in the 21st century. However, since the discovery of penicillin, severe pneumonia worldwide claims dozens of deaths each year. thousands of lives. A major problem for public health is the antibiotic resistance of pathogens of pneumonia, caused by uncontrolled use of antibacterial drugs not according to indications.
The risk group for severe pneumonia includes young children (under 5 years old), the elderly (over 65 years old), people with weakened immune system (for example, patients with diabetes, AIDS, cancer, etc.), with congenital broncho-pulmonary system, with chronic diseases (heart disease, kidney etc.), asthmatics and COPD patients, bedridden patients and smokers, including passive (!) and abusing alcohol. Forecast the chronic disease in a patient with pneumonia worsens significantly.
The likelihood of pneumonia increases with hypothermia, respiratory diseases, stress, depression, overwork.
Another problem is that we often carry acute respiratory diseases on our feet. Probably familiar the situation of the "second wave", when after the seemingly begun recovery again, albeit slightly, the temperature rose, began to increase weakness, decreased appetite.
The imaginary ease of respiratory diseases leads to a late referral to specialists on 7-9 days from the beginning diseases, which leads to an increase in complications and mortality. In elderly patients, the symptoms of pneumonia can they may not be pronounced, confusion is more common, fever is less common, and the prognosis is worse.
Age is an important factor associated with the course of pneumonia. In people younger than 50 years of age, clinical and radiological signs usually resolve within 4 weeks. In people over 50 years of age, the resolution of pneumonia (restoration of lung tissue) occurs much later, even if there are no concomitant diseases.
An important role in the outcome of pneumonia is played by the severity of the inflammatory process. So, in severe patients radiological signs of pneumonia may persist for 3 months or more. There are also disturbing statistics: The risks of urgent cardiovascular accidents after suffering from pneumonia within 1 year are up to 2.69 times higher than in society as a whole and 1.93 times higher than in patients hospitalized for other reasons.
To date, the evidence base for the prevention of pneumonia has only vaccination, which can prevent pneumonia caused by influenza viruses, measles, hemophilic and pneumococcal bacterial infections.
Every ten thousand flu shots reduce the number of deaths from cerebrovascular pathology by 4 to 20 cases.
Another of the most important factors that preserve human health is the attentive attitude of a person to their own health. the body and well-being. Patients with chronic non-communicable diseases should regularly check their body: monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other risk factors.
But if the doctor has identified a patient with pneumonia, you should not refuse to be hospitalized.
Do not forget that the health of citizens depends not only on the health system and half of the lifestyle and care of the people themselves about their health.
Pulmonologists urge everyone to think about the problem and do everything possible to reduce the risk of pneumonia in relatives and friends.
Chief freelance specialist-pulmonologist
health departments of the Lipetsk region
Simonaites Svetlana Valentinovna
