Respiratory diseases remain one of the biggest public health concerns, especially because of this They can become complex and become serious situations. In Peru, recent data from the Ministry of Health (Mensa) shows that the incidence of pneumonia is on the rise in 2025: there has been More than 54 thousand seizures and more than 14 thousand hospital admissions Until the 24th week of the year. For its part, Social Health Security (EsSalud) reported that, as of September 2024, it had provided more than 1.5 million services to those infected. common cold, Bronchitispneumonia, tonsillitis And other respiratory diseases.
The good news is that many respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, can be prevented. The key is there Vaccination, adequate ventilation, hygiene and early care. On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day, which is celebrated on November 12 of each year, it is important to know who is most at risk of contracting this disease, how to prevent it, and what its main symptoms are.
Pneumonia can occur in people of any age, but two groups stand out in terms of their susceptibility: Children under 5 years old and adults over 60 years old.
- Children under 5 years old: This group is particularly at risk because: Your immune system is not fully developed yetThey often live in overcrowded conditions, are exposed to cold or indoor air pollution, or suffer from malnutrition or incomplete vaccination.
- Adults over 60 years old: As we get older Immune system function decreasesChronic diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, or other respiratory diseases) appear and the response to infection is weakened. An older person who develops pneumonia is at greater risk of hospitalization, sequelae, and even death. Therefore, when talking about prevention, care and prioritization of resources, these two groups deserve special focus.
Preventing pneumonia involves multiple interventions, from vaccination to changes in lifestyle and environment. For vulnerable groups, some key recommendations are:
- vaccination: For children under five years of age, it is necessary to have the full scheme that includes vaccination against pneumococcus, against seasonal influenza and adequate general immunization coverage. For older adults, vaccination also includes pneumococcal and influenza vaccines, and if possible, booster vaccines against COVID-19.
- Healthy environmentMaintain good ventilation in the home, avoid heating with polluted fuels (wood, coal) that generate smoke, avoid tobacco or exposure to other people’s smoke, and cover children well in cold seasons.
- Basic hygiene and care: Wash hands frequently, avoid close contact with sick people, ensure that children are not in crowded environments in case of outbreaks of respiratory infections, and maintain adequate nutrition.
- Health monitoringFor older people, it is important to monitor chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and maintain regular medical monitoring, because these conditions increase the risk of severe pneumonia.
- Recognizing symptoms early: Go to the doctor if you have difficulty breathing, a persistent fever, or bluish discoloration of the lips or tongue, especially in children. This prevents mild pneumonia from becoming an emergency.
The clinical presentation of pneumonia can vary by age, but there are common warning signs.
- In children under 5 years of age: There may be high fever, persistent cough, rapid breathing (tachypnea), sinking of the ribs when breathing, food refusal, marked weakness, blue skin discoloration (cyanosis), and irritability. In rural or high-altitude areas, the incidence of cold-related infection is greater.
- In adults over 60 years of ageSymptoms may be more subtle: mild fever, chills, cough (sometimes without expectoration), difficulty breathing with minimal effort, pain when breathing, confusion or drowsiness (especially in people with cognitive impairment), and worsening of pre-existing chronic diseases.
If these symptoms appear, it is necessary to go to a health facility as soon as possible becausePneumonia can develop quickly It is derived in Complications such as respiratory failure, sepsis, or permanent lung damage.
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