ANALYSIS
The coronavirus is hitting France head on, with 61 dead and 2,876 cases. Among the complications of this disease is pneumonia, a respiratory condition that affects half a million people each year in France. On Europe 1, doctor Jimmy Mohamed took advantage of this news to make a point on pneumonia.
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Severe even in young people
According to six organizations, including UNICEF, a child under the age of five dies every 39 seconds of this respiratory condition. In France, pneumonia is responsible for 10,000 to 13,000 deaths per year, making this disease the leading cause of death from infection in Western countries. Pneumonia is therefore to be taken seriously since it is potentially serious even in young subjects and without health problems.
What are its symptoms? Pneumonia, also called pneumonia, manifests itself through several respiratory signs, such as a cough, sputum often associated with purulent secretions or shortness of breath. The patient may also experience chest pain when the pleura (envelope covering the lung) is affected. A persistent fever and a state of tiredness are also declared following the contraction of this infection. After his auscultation, the doctor sends the patient to have a chest and lung X-ray in town to confirm the diagnosis. No biological assessment in town is necessary because the assessments are done at the hospital.
Unsystematic hospitalization
The doctor uses a test, the CRB 65, which includes four items. This is to determine if the patient is confused, has difficulty breathing, has low blood pressure and is over 65 years of age. If the patient is affected by only one of these points, his pneumonia should be treated in the hospital. On the other hand, if the patient does not have these symptoms, he can be treated in town. In the event of a pulmonary history, it is sometimes appropriate to be hospitalized.
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Aside from Covid-19, several bacteria are responsible for pneumonia. Pneumococcus is the most common species of bacteria, especially in people hospitalized. There is also legionella, which often develops after exposure to poorly cleaned air conditioning and which affects immunocompromised people in particular. Some bacteria are said to be atypical because they tend to affect young people, such as chlamydiae or mycoplasma pneumoniae. Scientists have also discovered that viruses, such as the flu or the coronavirus, can cause lung infections.
To protect yourself from pneumonia, it is advisable to wash your hands, avoid blowing your nose and put your handkerchief in your pocket or shake hands with others.