Everything you need to know about pneumonia and why you should get vaccinated against it

• Covid-19 The average age in Covid pneumonia is now lower than at the beginning of the pandemic

• Winter forecast Flu and delta plus, the circulation of both viruses threatens winter stability

According to the WHO, in 2019 pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections were together the

. Bilateral pneumonia has been one of the most feared risks of Covid, but pneumonia has always been there, as it reminds us today, November 12, the

of this disease.

Experts point out that autumn and winter could be complicated by respiratory diseases, since, apart from Covid, many will have strength again now that there is a great vaccination coverage against SARS-CoV-2 and that many measures are relaxed prevention.

In fact,

53% in children and 61% in adults, compared to 2019, largely

(use of a mask, hand washing or distance ).

Not everything is bad.

For pneumonia there is also a vaccine, although in adults the coverage is very far from that of children, according to the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (Separ).

Let's clear some doubts about the disease.

What is pneumonia and what causes it?

Pneumonia is an acute lung infection and

.

In healthy people, the alveoli fill with air when they breathe, but if there is pneumonia these microorganisms multiply and the alveoli contain pus and fluid that cause pain and limit oxygen absorption.

Although viruses are a common cause of pneumonia, such as SARS-Cov-2 (Covid), influenza, chickenpox or measles, the most common cause is bacteria, especially

, known as

, which it can cause serious illnesses, such as meningitis, pneumonia, or less serious conditions such as sinusitis or otitis media.

Are there different types?

Basically two,

, which is the common pneumonia that any ordinary person can have in their daily life.

And

(nosocomial) as a complication of some process that has been carried out, such as a surgical intervention.

What are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed?

They depend on whether it is mild or severe, whether it appears quickly or takes time to settle, and the microorganism that causes it. According to the University of Navarra Clinic (CUN), the most common symptoms, those that occur in the so-called

, are the appearance in several hours or 2-3 days of

. Other so-called

pneumonias

produce more gradual symptoms with

. The cough is dry, without expectoration, and the chest pain is less intense.

Some patients may have

as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If the pneumonia is extensive or there is a previous lung or heart disease, respiratory distress may appear.

The CUN recalls that in

may be less striking initial symptoms with a low or absent fever, a slight cough and with

.

When pneumonia is suspected due to symptoms, a

is performed

to diagnose it, but also to see its location, extent, possible complications and to rule out other pathologies that present with similar symptoms.

What is the incidence and annual mortality from this problem?

According to Dr. Rosario Menéndez, clinical head of Pneumology at La Fe University Hospital (Valencia) and director of the Separ Integrated Pneumonia Research Project, the incidence is about

.

"In people

the incidence is increasing, up to

or even more in the most at-risk groups.

According to the WHO, pneumonia is responsible for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years of age and in 2015 it is estimated that it killed about 920,136 children.

Are there groups more likely to suffer it?

Children and the elderly, but also Dr. Menéndez indicates that the groups most at risk are "patients with

(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),

. A particularly vulnerable group is the

, people with

or treatments of

or other. "

How can it be prevented?

"Quitting smoking, scarce alcohol, adequate dental hygiene (simple tooth brushing) and vaccination: influenza and pneumococcal", emphasizes Dr. Menéndez, who adds: "Now that the population is aware (in Spain the figures for vaccination against Covid-19 are cause for satisfaction), it is time to remember that influenza and pneumococcal vaccines also save lives. "

In this sense,

against 13 and 23 pneumococcal serotypes, to which a third could be added, against 20 serotypes, still in the experimental phase, according to Separ.

But the coverage is very uneven in the population, warns this scientific society.

as it is included in the childhood vaccination schedule.

However,

, so the Separ asks adults over 65 years of age and those over 18 years of age in whom it is indicated due to high risk to go to be vaccinated against this disease.

Which is the treatment?

Do you always require hospitalization?

Although we all have in mind the bilateral pneumonia caused by Covid and even intubation of patients, Dr. Menéndez emphasizes that approximately one in three pneumonias need admission.

The duration varies from two to 30 days or more if there are complications, but the usual is between five and seven days.

These complications can be

, which usually require the use of oxygen and mechanical ventilation.

"In mild cases the treatment is oral antibiotics at home with a follow-up by your Primary Care doctor or pulmonologist", adds the pulmonologist.

Are we going to get more pneumonia this winter?

"At the present time, with a very wide coverage (80%) of the Spanish population against Covid-19, we are already treating people with other respiratory infections and microorganisms as before the pandemic: pneumococcus, flu, other respiratory viruses, tuberculosis. .. It is possible that in addition to Covid-19 we have

"

the specialist.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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