World Pneumonia Day: 'Covid-19 can increase pneumonia death rate by 70%’

<p style="font-weight: 400;">Covid-19 could increase all-cause pneumonia mortality by 70 per cent, bringing the annual death toll to 4.5 million, said a study published by the American Physiological Society earlier this month. It is pertinent to highlight this study on World Pneumonia Day which is observed on November 12 every year from 2009. Despite being preventable and treatable, pneumonia leads to millions of death every year.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">This year the theme for World Pneumonia Day is “Every Breath Counts.”</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in the lungs, causing inflammation in the lungs and respiratory tracts. Lungs are filled up with mucus or other fluids, making it difficult for the patients to breathe.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">“Even though Covid-19 deaths disproportionately affect adults, up to 2.3 million additional children could die this year due to health service disruptions, 35 per cent from pneumonia and newborn sepsis,” the study further elaborated.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Globally, almost one in three (31 per cent) children with suspected pneumonia are not taken for care, and many more are exposed to pneumonia due to low vaccination coverage, high rates of malnutrition, and air pollution.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">"Further, there is still no rapid diagnostic test for pneumonia, and studies have revealed access to pulse oximetry, medical oxygen, and the many therapies associated with it is alarmingly low in many low- and middle-income countries. Despite concerns over the inappropriate use of antibiotics among children, studies still reveal wide gaps in some countries and the recommended child-friendly antibiotic, amoxicillin dispersible tablets, is still unavailable in many places," the study added.</p>.