Aarushi Bhadury

Hospitals To Be Equipped With Essential Pneumonia Medical Devices, Signs And Symptoms To Look Out For

Childhood Pneumonia Care (Credit-Canva)

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pneumonia">Pneumonia</a> Medical Devices: The government has taken the initiative and equipped hospitals with essential medical devices that will help them combat the climbing number of Pneumonia cases. Haryana’s district hospitals shall all have oxygen cylinders, nasal prongs, suction catheters, pulse oximeters and paediatric nebulisers. The aim is to lower the rate of childhood mortality due to pneumonia-related deaths in a year. Currently, the number is at 5.7 and they wish to reach less than 3 per 1000 live births by 2025. This initiative was launched as a part of the campaign meant to raise awareness for Pneumonia and shall be running till the 28th of February 2025 for children under 5. Pneumonia is responsible for 30% of deaths of children and 16% of severe cases. The number of cases between April 2023 and March 2024 was more than 17000 including 8,230 respiratory infections and more than 3000 hospital admissions.

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that primarily affects children. When a person breathes in, air fills tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli. In pneumonia, these sacs become inflamed and filled with fluid and pus, making breathing difficult and painful. The most common bacteria that can cause this is Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). While most children can effectively combat this disease there are many reasons why they become susceptible to it like a child with a weakened immune system due to malnourishment or undernourishment, this is seen in children who are not exclusively breastfed. They could also have a preexisting condition like HIV or measles. Environmental factors include indoor air pollution due to biomass fuels or living in a crowded area.

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Cough</li><li>Chills</li><li>Fast breathing</li><li>Difficulty breathing (sounds like grunting or wheezing)</li><li>They seem to be working hard to breathe</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Chest pain</li><li>Stomach ache</li><li>Less active than usual</li><li>Not eating well (older kids) or not feeding well (babies)</li></ul>

<h2>What Are Some Treatments and Prevention</h2>

There are many ways to treat and prevent childhood pneumonia. If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms you should take them to a healthcare professional immediately and take great care of yourself and the people around you. 

They say prevention is the best care for any disease, so to prevent Pneumonia you must take care of a few things like Immunization, proper nutrition, and a clean environment. You must also ensure your child is exclusively breastfed in the first six months to strengthen a child’s immune system. Addressing indoor air pollution, promoting hygiene, and providing clean water can significantly reduce the risk. 

For treatment, these are the available options for people, 

Antibiotics are the primary treatment for pneumonia. Amoxicillin is often the first choice made by doctors for oral administration.

While it is mostly severe cases of pneumonia may require hospitalization, most cases can be effectively treated at home with oral antibiotics. Make sure you follow whatever medication was given to you by them. 

Trained community health workers can diagnose and treat mild to moderate pneumonia cases with oral antibiotics at the community level. 

Health Conditions A-Z

health

pneumonia

Essential Pneumonia Medical Devices

Signs And Symptoms

rate of childhood mortality

amoxicillin

serious lung infection

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Pneumonia Medical Devices: The government has taken the initiative and equipped hospitals with essential medical devices that will help them combat the climbing number of Pneumonia cases. Haryana’s district hospitals shall all have oxygen cylinders, nasal prongs, suction catheters, pulse oximeters and paediatric nebulisers. The aim is to lower the rate of childhood mortality due to pneumonia-related deaths in a year. Currently, the number is at 5.7 and they wish to reach less than 3 per 1000 live births by 2025. This initiative was launched as a part of the campaign meant to raise awareness for Pneumonia and shall be running till the 28th of February 2025 for children under 5. Pneumonia is responsible for 30% of deaths of children and 16% of severe cases. The number of cases between April 2023 and March 2024 was more than 17000 including 8,230 respiratory infections and more than 3000 hospital admissions. Causes of Childhood PneumoniaPneumonia is a serious lung infection that primarily affects children. When a person breathes in, air fills tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli. In pneumonia, these sacs become inflamed and filled with fluid and pus, making breathing difficult and painful. The most common bacteria that can cause this is Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). While most children can effectively combat this disease there are many reasons why they become susceptible to it like a child with a weakened immune system due to malnourishment or undernourishment, this is seen in children who are not exclusively breastfed. They could also have a preexisting condition like HIV or measles. Environmental factors include indoor air pollution due to biomass fuels or living in a crowded area. Symptoms of Childhood PneumoniaFeverCoughChillsFast breathingDifficulty breathing (sounds like grunting or wheezing)They seem to be working hard to breatheVomitingChest painStomach acheLess active than usualNot eating well (older kids) or not feeding well (babies)What Are Some Treatments and PreventionThere are many ways to treat and prevent childhood pneumonia. If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms you should take them to a healthcare professional immediately and take great care of yourself and the people around you. They say prevention is the best care for any disease, so to prevent Pneumonia you must take care of a few things like Immunization, proper nutrition, and a clean environment. You must also ensure your child is exclusively breastfed in the first six months to strengthen a child’s immune system. Addressing indoor air pollution, promoting hygiene, and providing clean water can significantly reduce the risk. For treatment, these are the available options for people, AntibioticsAntibiotics are the primary treatment for pneumonia. Amoxicillin is often the first choice made by doctors for oral administration. HospitalizationWhile it is mostly severe cases of pneumonia may require hospitalization, most cases can be effectively treated at home with oral antibiotics. Make sure you follow whatever medication was given to you by them. Community-Based CareTrained community health workers can diagnose and treat mild to moderate pneumonia cases with oral antibiotics at the community level. 