What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs, affecting the air sacs (alveoli), which fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.
Causes of Pneumonia:
- Bacterial Infections: The most common cause, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Viral Infections: Such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses.
- Fungal Infections: Less common but can occur in people with weakened immune systems.
- Aspiration Pneumonia: Caused when food, drink, or saliva is inhaled into the lungs.
Symptoms:
- Cough (with or without mucus)
- Fever and chills
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain when breathing or coughing
- Fatigue and weakness
- Rapid breathing or shallow breathing
- Confusion (especially in older adults)
Treatment:
- Antibiotics: For bacterial pneumonia (e.g., Azithromycin, Amoxicillin).
- Antivirals: For viral pneumonia (e.g., Oseltamivir for flu).
- Oxygen Therapy: To improve oxygen levels in the blood.
- Pain and Fever Management: With medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Hospitalization: In severe cases, especially for elderly or high-risk patients.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Growing Threats:
- One of the most pressing concerns in global health today is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- AMR occurs when harmful germs, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, evolve to resist the effects of medicines like antibiotics.
- This makes infections harder to treat, leading to longer hospital stays, increased medical costs, and even death.
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are key drivers of AMR, particularly in regions like South and Southeast Asia.
- These regions account for 6.5% of global antibiotic use, with a disproportionate share of critical antibiotics that are essential for treating severe infections.
- A major contributor to AMR is the under-vaccination of children.
- When children are not vaccinated, they are more likely to contract preventable diseases, leading to unnecessary antibiotic use.
- This misuse of antibiotics accelerates the development of resistant bacteria, making it more difficult to treat common infections.
One powerful example shared during AMR Week is the tragic story of Felix Liauw from Indonesia.
- He lost his 3-month-old son due to a misdiagnosis and the inappropriate use of antibiotics.
- His son was wrongly treated for sepsis, even though he had a rare condition called congenital short bowel syndrome.
- This case shows the importance of proper diagnosis and responsible antibiotic use to avoid life-threatening consequences.
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How can AMR be prevented?
Increased Vaccination: Reduction in Antibiotic Use:
- By preventing infections that would otherwise require antibiotics, vaccines would help reduce the overall antibiotic consumption.
- This reduction is crucial in the fight against AMR, as overuse of antibiotics is one of the main drivers of resistance.
The study also suggested that the greatest reductions in antibiotic use would be observed in economically advantaged groups, though even economically disadvantaged populations would experience benefits, leading to a more equitable reduction in antibiotic consumption.
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