• April 28, 2024

During the autumn, winter and spring seasons, the largest number of cold fronts are presented in Mexico, in this case between 52 and 64, depending on the National Meteorological System , so that respiratory diseases will worsen in the vulnerable population. Therefore, it is important to take actions to prevent them, as in the case of pneumonia.

It is important to prevent pneumonia because it is considered the leading cause of death in children under five years of age and in older adults, as well as the cause of more deaths in women, according to data from National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI).

Actions to prevent pneumonia

Pneumonia, depending on age and certain factors, is usually caused by a bacterium, known as pneumococcus, of which we are all carriers. However, a badly catarrh or cold can detonate an infectious picture that activates it and can become severe, for that reason the importance of its prevention, explains the Dr. Marte Hernández Porras, infectious pediatrician of the National Institute of Pediatrics, in an interview with GetQoralHealth

In this sense, he explains the member of the Mexican Council of Infectious Diseases To prevent pneumonia, some strategies must be carried out, such as:

1. Avoid sudden temperature changes that involve moving from heat to cold frequently and in different environments.

2. Apply in a timely manner the conjugate vaccines of pneumococcus (which involves the 13 most common serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae) and against seasonal influenza.

3. Go to a specialist when a cold or flu picture occurs to prevent it from altering the pharynx ecosystem and activating the pneumococcal bacteria.

4. Have a healthy diet, good hydration, cover the cold, as well as avoid smoking, a very important factor that triggers respiratory infections.

5. Ventilate the spaces we inhabit, such as homes and offices, to prevent the proliferation of bacteria.

In addition to the previous actions to prevent pneumonia in the general population, the specialist recommends that those other risk groups, such as people with asthma, morbid obesity, with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, should take these and other measures to prevent complications.