Pneumonia caused by poor hygiene, not cold weather – experts

                                   

Pneumonia is not caused by exposure to cold weather and drinking of cold water but by bacteria and viruses due to poor hygiene, medical experts have said.

Two general physicians made the clarification in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday.

Dr Femi Amao of the Shalom Medical Centre, Ibadan, called for increased awareness of the causes and prevention of pneumonia among children under five years of age.

“Many mothers are misguided in their belief that wrapping up their children in thick and warm clothing will prevent pneumonia.

“They should be sensitised to the fact that pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which is caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites,” he said.

He said that bacteria, fungi and virus which caused pneumonia were as a result of dirty environment, adding that there was a vaccine against pneumonia.

“Pneumonia usually starts when you inhale germs, and it can be spread to others through coughing, sneezing and smoking.

“Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of under five death in Nigeria; preventing it will help in reducing the rate of child mortality.

“Unfortunately, most mothers are unaware of ways of preventing pneumonia and factors that cause it.

“There is the need for stakeholders to collaborate in educating mothers and caregivers on the causes and prevention of pneumonia,” he said.

“Parents should be adequately informed on the importance of childhood vaccination to prevent pneumonia.

“They should also be enlightened on preventive measures such as proper hygiene at home and surroundings, frequent hand washing – especially in the preparation of food – and good nutrition,” he said.

Dr Ademola Olateju of the Hopewell Hospital, Oshodi, Lagos, told NAN that pneumonia was a communicable disease caused by a pneumococcal virus.

Olateju said that the symptoms of pneumonia included fever, cough and headaches.

“The symptoms may be severe or mild depending on each child and the type of germ causing pneumonia.

“The common symptoms are fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, chest pain, headaches and cough,” he said.

The physician identified malnutrition, smoking by parents and living in overcrowded place as some of the factors that could predispose a child to contracting pneumonia.

“Immunising your child against pneumococcal virus, measles and whooping cough is the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.

“Exclusive breast feeding in the first six months of a baby’s life is also a very effective means of preventing pneumonia and other childhood diseases,” he said.

Olateju said that houses should be properly ventilated to prevent pneumonia.

He urged adults to avoid smoking in the presence of children to limit the risk of their contracting pneumonia.

NAN reports that the World Health Organisation in its 2013 report says, “Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children worldwide.”

According to WHO, pneumonia kills an estimated 1.1 million children under the age of five years annually.

“It kills more than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined,” the organisation said.