Pneumonia, a common disease affecting many, can prove to be very dangerous and even fatal at times. Hence, it is always imperative to take preventive measures in order to restrict the infection right from the start, especially if you are part of a high-risk group.
Pneumonia refers to an infection of the lungs leading to mild to severe illness in people spanning all age groups. Adults who are over 65 years of age are at higher risk for this disease. Children who are under 5 years of age are also at higher risk for pneumonia. Those who are chain smokers and those who have medical backgrounds of diabetes, asthma, and heart disease are more likely to develop this disease.
Prevention
There are a number of steps that you can take in order to prevent pneumonia right at its inception.
Quit smoking
It is always advisable to quit smoking or reduce the habit of smoking, as you are more likely to be a victim of this disease if you are a chain smoker.
Sick people
It is essential to stay away from people who are already suffering from respiratory tract infections, contagious flu, infectious colds, etc.
Vaccines
It may also become necessary to take vaccines against measles or chickenpox. Also, it is wise to stay away from people who are already suffering from these diseases.
Wash hands
It is advisable to wash your hands quite often, especially when you are coming from outside. This facilitates in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses that often carry the infection of pneumonia.
Some other kinds of vaccines that can also help prevent this contagious disease are:
Flu vaccine
Taken yearly, this vaccine can help you avoid the flu, which often results in pneumonia, especially for people in high-risk groups, such as older people, children, and those who have chronic diseases. You can take this flu vaccine while taking the pneumococcal vaccine.
Measles vaccination
It is important to give the measles vaccination to children. Also, adults might want to take the vaccination against measles, if they have not suffered from this disease during their childhood.
Chickenpox vaccination
Chickenpox vaccination can also help prevent pneumonia in many cases, as this is caused by viruses, which also cause chickenpox.
Quit alcohol
It is also important to indulge in less alcohol drinking, as it leads to a high risk of developing pneumonia. Intravenous drug use also leads to an increased risk of developing pneumonia.
Tissue
Make sure to sneeze and cough into a tissue or into a piece of cloth or into your sleeve and elbow.
Clean surfaces
As a prevention method, it is important to clean surfaces that are touched a lot.
Diabetes
Finally, in order to prevent a disease like pneumonia, it is important to prevent and treat other diseases, such as diabetes.
The above preventive measures can help you to steer clear of pneumonia.
Since 2001, Dr. Alexander Salerno has led Salerno Medical Associates in East Orange, New Jersey. Dr. Alexander Salerno focuses largely on urban communities and on delivering patient education about both medical and behavioral health issues, including alcohol addiction.
