Pneumonia in kids: Prevalence, prevention

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection usually caused by a virus, bacteria or fungi.

It is a leading cause of death in Bangladeshi children -- causing 13 percent of deaths among children under five, according to Unicef.

Pneumonia is more prevalent in winter because of more indoor air pollution, people tending to remain indoors and being in close contact.

The infection makes the lungs fill with fluid, making breathing difficult. On the other hand, a healthy child's lung fills with air when they breathe.

Children whose immune systems are immature, like newborns, or weakened by undernourishment, or diseases like HIV, are more vulnerable to pneumonia.

A 2020 forecast by Johns Hopkins University shows that, during the next decade, over 100,000 children under the age of five could die from pneumonia in Bangladesh.

The forecast also mentions that almost half of these deaths can be averted by significantly scaling up immunisation and taking various other steps, according to Unicef.

PREVENTION

Immunisation against Hib, pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough is the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.

Pneumonia can also be prevented in the first place by increasing protective measures and by reducing risk factors like both indoor and outdoor air pollution, which make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.

Adequate nutrition boosts natural defence in children making them less vulnerable to the infection. For newborns, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is crucial.

Good hygiene practices are also important. Improved handwashing with soap reduces the risk of pneumonia by up to 50 percent by lowering exposure to bacteria.

Focusing on general health may also result in prevention of the infection.

In terms of treatment, low-cost antibiotics can provide cure in most cases, preventing death.

Most of all, effective diagnosis is critical to improve child survival rate.