Pneumonia usually becomes widespread during winters. It causes difficulty in breathing as pus or fluids block the air sacs in your lungs. Infection can be either be caused by bacteria or viruses. At times, it can be fungi.
So, treating Pneumonia is a challenge for most people during the winter.
It is one of the common diseases of winter that affects all sections of the population and can sometimes even get complicated and cause serious health damage. What is the recommended treatment for Pneumonia, how can it be prevented, and the main risk factors? Read through to find out.
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Symptoms of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is quite common, especially during winter. Here are some of the common symptoms of Pneumonia.
- Trouble or difficulty in breathing
- Dry, persistent coughs
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Thick mucus
- Nausea
- Chills
- Dehydration and profuse sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Damp skin
Risk Factors of Pneumonia
The risk factors of Pneumonia are determined based on several factors such as age, general medical condition, the pathogen causing the disease, the patient's profession.
- Staying in hospitals as patients. When a patient stays for too long in hospitals among pneumatic patients, there is a high risk of Pneumonia. Also, a patient in the ICU (intensive care unit) at a hospital who breathes with a ventilator machine is at high risk of Pneumonia.
- Excessive smoking. Do you know that excessive smoking tends to weaken your lung tissues? A weak lung might be unable to fight against infection and diseases.
- Weak immune system. The immune system defends your body. Hence, it serves as a resistance to infections and ailments. A body with a weak immune system will surely be open to any illness. It does not exempt Pneumonia.
Tips on Avoiding Pneumonia
The good news is that, even though Pneumonia is a critical condition, you can avoid it. How? Down the hill are answers to your questions. Let's coast down.
Here are five tips to avoiding Pneumonia successfully:
- Take the flu vaccine: The first step to avoid Pneumonia is to get vaccinated against the flu. As the flu is the common cause of Pneumonia, so it will be best if you get vaccinated as soon as possible.
- The special groups should get vaccinated: Special groups usually include kids under 5-years old and adults above 65 years. They are the most susceptible to Pneumonia. If anyone around you falls within these groups, make sure they get the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination. It is a form of bacteria pneumonia vaccine that hinders all signs of Pneumonia from thriving.
- Say no to smoking: Stay away from anything that gives off smoke to give your lungs a second chance. As a pneumonia patient, save your cigarettes and vapes till never. Practicing this will enable your lungs to heal up faster.
- Abandon alcohol: Those ciders and eggnog alcohols you can go a day without might be your nemesis. Alcohol lowers your immune system's defense ability. Keep in mind that only an active immune system guarantees a pneumonia-free life. Therefore, don't hesitate to stop taking alcohol.
- Finally, embrace a warm world: The simplest way to avoid Pneumonia during winter is always to stay warm. You should take steamy baths often and drink more warm beverages. Then, there you go!
