Ways to reduce risk of pneumonia amid COVID-19 pandemic

Pneumonia a lung infection, usually caused by bacteria or virus or fungus. Pneumonia affects the lungs' air sacs called alveoli. Alveoli are filled with pus, fluid or making difficulty in breathing. 

COVID is one of the possible factors contributing to pneumonia, there are many other causes as well. In most cases, the microorganisms overcome the body's natural defences and go into the lungs and get multiply. 

When respiratory droplets containing the virus enters the upper respiratory tract infection of SARS-CoV-2 beings. As the virus multiplies, infections keep increasing in the lungs which possibly results in developing pneumonia. The oxygen that we breathe into the lungs get mixed into the bloodstream inside the alveoli, which is the air sacs in the lungs. Hence, infection with SARS-CoV-2 may damage the alveoli and the tissues around them. 

As the immune system fights with the virus, inflammation may cause dead cells and fluid to build up the lungs. These factors get restrict with the transfer of oxygen, resulting in the symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Hence people with COVID19 pneumonia can develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) a respiratory failure that occurs when the air sacs in the lungs filled up with fluid which makes breathing hard.  Many people with ARDS need the support of a ventilator to help them breathe. 

Here are the precautions one must take to prevent pneumonia during the pandemic listed by Dr Jeenam Shah, Chest Physician and Interventional Pulmonologist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central. 

- Wash your hands with soap or sanitiser at least for 20secs

- Avoid going to public places 

- Do not share the personal care products 

- Eat healthy food 

- Drink plenty of water 

- Mask is mandatory 

-Take proper rest 

- Avoid smoking and alcohol 

The other factor is intake and distribution of oxygen in the body. Lung grows till the age of 25 which reduces gradually. Improving lung function is a must for it to keep practising the exercises. One must keep the check of haemoglobin and RBC level in the blood to have free flow to and from the lungs. 

Elders and children with a history of severe breathing problem are more vulnerable to severe pneumonia. Prompt medical care will help the person fight the infection. Consulting a pulmonologist (lung specialist) is important as it helps minizine the infection and the damage.