World Pneumonia Day: Three young lives lost daily in Gujarat
Updated: Nov 12th, 2024
Each year, November 12 is observed as ‘World Pneumonia Day’, and in Gujarat, on average, three children die from pneumonia every day.
Pneumonia cases rise significantly during the winter months. In Gujarat, more than 13,000 cases are reported annually. During this period, around 970 children under the age of five died due to pneumonia.
In 2021, a total of 13,324 pneumonia cases were registered in Gujarat, with 11,333 cases in urban areas and 1,591 cases in rural areas.
In India, more than 26,000 children died from pneumonia in 2022-2023.
Experts say that people with allergies are more vulnerable to pneumonia. As winter approaches, it’s important to take extra precautions, as bacteria thrive in cold conditions with less sunlight.
These bacteria can infect the lungs, leading to pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia may include extreme cough and chest pain.
Dr. Tushar Patel from the Indian Medical Association in Gujarat advises that children and the elderly should take extra precautions, as they are more prone to pneumonia. It is advisable that people over the age of 50 should get the influenza vaccine, while children should receive the pneumococcal vaccination.
And those with persisting respiratory issues should wear a mask in places with dust and pollution to reduce the risk of infection.
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