World Pneumonia Day 2024: Pneumonia is a common lung respiratory infection caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia causes your lung tissue to swell (inflammation) and can cause fluid or pus in your lungs. Though pneumonia is one of the most common respiratory infections, spread among millions annually, some misconceptions often confuse its condition and lead to wrong prevention and treatment.
Hence, to debunk myths, we got in touch with Dr Neeraj Gupta, Associate Director- Pulmonology, Respiratory Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital Gurugram who clarified these misconceptions. Myth 1- Pneumonia Can Strike Only Elderly People Fact: It is a fact that older adults have a higher susceptibility to infections of pneumonia. However, the infection can hit anyone at any age - children, young adults, and even people who are fit and healthy can get infected.
“People exposed to pollutants or infections are also vulnerable; the more they are susceptible, the more conditions they have such as weak immune systems and existing health conditions. Children younger than five and older adults are considered highly vulnerable; these groups should consult their doctors about vaccination and other preventive measures,” Dr Neeraj explains. Myth 2: Pneumonia Is Just A Bad Cold Pneumonia is much worse than a common cold or flu.
Some of the symptoms, such as cough and fever, can be somewhat similar, but pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. This can make breath.
