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- Sitaram Yechury Death Reason; Pneumonia (Lung Infection) Symptoms, Prevention Tips
just a few moments agoAuthor: Gaurav Tiwari
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CPI(M) General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party and former Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday, September 12 after a prolonged illness. He was 72 years old. He was undergoing treatment at AIIMS in New Delhi. Yechury had a respiratory tract infection, due to which complications led to his untimely death.
Respiratory tract infections can be caused by many pathogens. Viruses and bacteria are the main ones. These pathogens spread through direct contact with infected persons or by touching contaminated surfaces. The air quality in most cities of India is so poor that it makes the infection more severe.
Sitaram Yechury was admitted to AIIMS on August 19 due to pneumonia. Pneumonia is usually caused by respiratory tract infection in the elderly and children. Sometimes its symptoms become very severe and can also lead to death.
so today ‘health report‘ We will talk about pneumonia. Along with that we will know that-
- Why is it so dangerous for children and the elderly?
- Which symptoms of pneumonia should not be ignored?
- Which tests are done to check this?
- What are the treatment and prevention measures for pneumonia?
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. It causes inflammation of the lung tissues and fluid or pus may form in the lungs. It is of two types – bacterial and viral. Bacterial pneumonia is usually more serious than viral pneumonia.
Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs. If both lungs are infected it is called double pneumonia.
Children and the elderly are more at risk
Pneumonia can happen to anyone of any age, but the risk is higher in young children and the elderly. The main reason for this is weak immunity. The immune system of young children is not fully developed. Whereas the immune system of the elderly weakens with age. See the graphic.
Let us understand the points given in the graphic in detail.
- Small children and the elderly have a weak immune system and hence are at a higher risk of getting any infection. Therefore, they are also at a higher risk of pneumonia.
- By the time people reach the age of 65, they are surrounded by many types of diseases. Many of these can also be chronic health diseases. Due to these, the body of the elderly becomes weak and they easily fall prey to diseases like pneumonia.
- Very young children and the elderly have weak lung functions. Therefore pneumonia affects them more.
- At both these ages, most parts of the body can be affected due to some disease. Therefore, if pneumonia occurs, the risk of complications is also high.
Apart from children under 2 years of age and the elderly over 65 years of age, there are several other risk factors for pneumonia. See:
- If someone has any lung or heart related disease.
- Those who have a neurological condition that causes difficulty in swallowing.
- Conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
- People who are in the hospital for a long time, especially in the ICU or on a ventilator.
- People who smoke.
- Women who are pregnant.
Never ignore these symptoms of pneumonia
Its symptoms depend on the cause of the infection. The symptoms of pneumonia can sometimes be mild and sometimes very severe. Infants, young children and the elderly may have different symptoms. However, some of its symptoms should never be ignored.
Which tests are necessary for the treatment of pneumonia
The treating doctor decides which tests are to be done to detect the condition of the lungs based on the symptoms of the infection. The condition of the lungs is detected by doing many necessary tests like chest X-ray and CT-scan. Apart from this, the cause of the infection is known through blood test. The disease is cured by giving medicine on the basis of this. Let us see in the graphic which tests are necessary before treating pneumonia properly.
What is the treatment for pneumonia
The treatment of pneumonia depends on the cause of the infection. Before treating it, it is ascertained whether the infection is caused by bacteria, virus or fungus, which pathogen. Treatment also depends on how severe the infection and symptoms are.
- In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are given to treat it.
- Antiviral medicines are given if pneumonia is caused by a viral infection.
- If the infection is caused by fungus then antifungal medicines are given for its treatment.
What are the measures to prevent it
There is an old saying in the world of medicine, prevention is better than cure. It means that prevention is better than cure. If some precautions are taken, pneumonia infection can be avoided. Let us see important preventive tips in the graphic.
