Brazil registers over 600 thousand hospitalizations for pneumonia

November 12 – World Pneumonia Day According to the Ministry of Health, in 2021, the Unified Health System (SUS) records over 600 thousand hospitalizations annually for Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and Influenza, and the estimated number of deaths from respiratory infections, including COVID-19, is 6 million. On the upcoming November 12, World Pneumonia Day will be celebrated, a date created to raise awareness about the importance of preventing the disease, especially among the most affected groups. Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs and can be caused by different infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Additionally, environmental factors, such as air quality and pollution, can also play an important role in the development of this disease. According to pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist Jessica Polese, it can be viral or bacterial, and usually affects patients when their immune system is weak. "The lung infection can initially be caused by viral transmission, as we have viruses circulating normally in environments, but the cases of this viral infection can pave the way for bacterial infection," explains Jessica. "When acquired in the community (CAP), it is most often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), which settles in the lungs when there are situations of low immunity," clarifies the doctor. The symptoms of a lung infection include fever, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, and yellowish secretions. According to the Brazilian Society of Pneumology and Tisiology (SBPT), it is important to pay attention to at-risk groups, such as children up to 5 years old, elderly people over 65, individuals with chronic diseases, respiratory, cardiac, liver diseases, and those causing immunosuppression, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, COVID-19, diabetes, HIV, and cancer; alcoholics and smokers. Moreover, it is essential to adopt healthy habits to strengthen the immune system and prevent respiratory infections, such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, sleeping adequately, and avoiding smoking. "Prevention includes vaccination; there is a specific vaccine for the disease, good nutrition, and regular sleep, which helps with immunity and prevents infections," assures the pulmonologist.