Q.Write short notes on pneumonia and its prophylaxis.

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the alveoli of one or both lungs, most commonly caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae; the alveoli fill with fluid or pus, reducing oxygen exchange. It is prevented mainly through vaccination, hygiene and avoiding risk factors such as smoking.

Causative agent and mechanism: Pneumonia is most often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), though other bacteria, viruses and fungi can also cause it. The organism infects the lungs and triggers an inflammatory response in the alveoli (the tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs). The alveoli become filled with fluid, pus and dead cells, which reduces the surface available for oxygen to diffuse into the blood.

Symptoms: Fever with chills, cough (often producing mucus/phlegm), rapid or laboured breathing, chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing, and fatigue. In severe cases, cyanosis (bluish skin from low blood oxygen) can occur, and if untreated the disease can be fatal, particularly in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.

Prophylaxis (prevention):

1. Vaccination — the pneumococcal vaccine protects against the most common bacterial cause.
2. Personal hygiene — regular hand-washing and covering the mouth while coughing/sneezing reduces the spread of the causative organisms.
3. Avoiding risk factors — not smoking and limiting exposure to air pollutants, since damaged lung tissue is more susceptible to infection. …