According to the Stop Pneumonia Initiative (SPI), pneumonia claimed 2.5 million lives, or one person every 13 seconds, in 2019.
Respiratory infection deaths further increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a death toll of over six million in 2021. Health experts urge the public to act now to help reduce respiratory infection illness and deaths, as well as the risk of further respiratory infection pandemics.
“Fewer people were getting sick with respiratory viruses other than COVID while strict masking and social distancing measures were in place,” says Christa Hemmila, nurse practitioner with Aspirus Waupaca Clinic. “Now we’re seeing a significant increase in respiratory virus activity and anticipate it could get worse as we move further into flu season.”
World Pneumonia Day, November 12, was established by the SPI in 2009 to raise awareness about the world’s biggest infectious killer of adults and children. Pneumonia is a common lung infection caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the air we breathe. Hemmila adds, “The cause of the infection and the overall health of the person who gets it makes a difference in the severity of illness. That’s why it’s important that people remain diligent in their efforts to stay healthy, even as those preventative measures against COVID-19 continue to decrease.”
Risk factors
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), people at high risk for pneumonia include those:
With a chronic lung disease (including asthma and COPD), heart disease or diabetes
Recovering from severe illness
In nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
Who smoke cigarettes
Under 5 years of age or 65 or older
Reduce your risk
The ALA offers these four steps to help reduce the risk of pneumonia:
Get a flu shot. Pneumonia often develops as a complication of influenza. A flu shot, therefore, can help protect you against both diseases.
Get vaccinated. You can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. These vaccines are recommended for everyone at high risk of getting pneumonia.
Stay healthy. Since pneumonia often strikes when the immune system is weak, keeping your immune system strong can help ward off this illness. It can also help ward off other respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia.
Keep your immune system healthy with good health habits, a healthful diet, cleanliness, rest, and regular exercise. Even if you do get sick, you'll get over it faster with a healthy immune system.
Keep an eye on your lungs. Watch out for any respiratory symptoms that last longer than a few days. Though this won't actually prevent pneumonia, it can help prevent a mild case from turning into a serious one. Early treatment makes a big difference.
Flu shots are offered at various facilities across the Aspirus Health system. For more information about scheduling or to find a location near you, visit www.aspirus.org/flu-vaccinations
Christa Hemmila, MSN, APNP, FNP-BC, NP-C is a nurse practitioner with Aspirus Waupaca Clinic. To schedule an appointment with Christa or one of her colleagues at Aspirus Waupaca Clinic, call 715-258-3650. To find an Aspirus clinic or provider near you, visit aspirus.org.
Contact:
Tami Barber
Tami.Barber@aspirus.org, 715-421-7547
Original source can be found here.
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