Prevention of pneumococcal infection

Pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world and is a leading cause of death from infectious diseases. They occur mainly in the elderly, against the background of concomitant diseases (oncological and hematological diseases, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, kidney and liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcoholism, viral infections, and others). The mortality rate in this case is 15 – 30%.

Among the elderly, the most vulnerable are those who are constantly in special institutions for the care of the elderly. In addition to the elderly, the risk group for diseases also includes children under the age of 5 years.For this age group, pneumococcal infection is the most common cause of severe forms of pneumonia, otitis media, and meningitis. Especially vulnerable to pneumococcus are young children under 2 years of age, whose body is not able to resist infection.

The disease begins acutely, often with chills and pain, which increases with deep breathing. Symptoms of a pneumococcal infection that causes pneumonia include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Pneumococcal bacteremia, or blood poisoning, is the most severe form with a mortality rate of up to 50%. The initial symptoms may be similar to some of the symptoms of pneumonia and meningitis, and may include joint pain and chills.

The main complications include mental retardation, motor activity disorders, epilepsy, and deafness.

In this regard, doctors again and again warn about the dangers of self-medication! You can not try to cope with the disease yourself, guided as a methodological guide by commercials of various drugs and their availability in pharmacy chains!

The main method of preventing pneumonia is vaccination. For the prevention of pneumonia, there are vaccines against hemophilic and pneumococcal infections. You should also get a flu shot, as pneumonia is often a complication of the flu. Despite the fact that vaccinated people can also get pneumonia, the disease is easier for them than for those who are not vaccinated.

At the same time, we should not forget about non-specific methods of preventing this disease:

• * It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle: to engage in physical education and sports, to take frequent walks in the fresh air. It is very important not to smoke in a room where a child can be, passive smoking has a detrimental effect on the function of the bronchi and immunity.
• It is necessary to have a healthy full-fledged diet with a sufficient content of proteins, trace elements and vitamins (daily in the diet should be fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, milk and dairy products).
• In the cold season, you need to dress according to the weather, avoid hypothermia and drafts.
• It is necessary to observe the modes of ventilation and wet cleaning in the premises.
• Wash your hands as often as possible.

During the rise in the incidence of influenza, it is recommended to avoid contact with sick people, use a mask to protect the respiratory system, and refrain from visiting places with a large crowd of people.

It is necessary to remember: if you or your child is ill, then you should not go to work or take your child to kindergarten, school, as you can infect other people. Do not self-medicate! Call a doctor at home or seek medical help at a medical facility!

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis, determine the severity of the disease and the prognosis. You and your child will be assigned timely treatment for pneumonia, individual for each, taking into account the severity of the disease, age and concomitant diseases.

Chief freelance specialist pulmonologist
health departments of the Lipetsk region
Simonaites S. V.