Pneumonia, which claims more lives than strokes... Ranks 4th in causes of death

The weather is experiencing a large temperature difference between day and night, and the air has become much colder.

 

The season of colorful autumn leaves has already arrived. However, as temperatures gradually drop and the daily temperature range widens, deadly pneumonia becomes rampant. According to the '2022 Cause of Death Statistics' by the National Statistical Office, the mortality rate from pneumonia ranks fourth, following malignant neoplasms (cancer), heart diseases, and COVID-19. An average of 62.5 people die from pneumonia each day. This is more than the number of deaths from cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke (22,607 people). It is advisable to receive preventive vaccines before the cold weather arrives.

◇Worsening sepsis can be fatal

Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by bacterial or viral infections. Bacteria such as pneumococcus are the main causes. Symptoms are similar to a cold, including fever, cough, and sputum, but inflammation causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs, leading to high fever and phlegm. If the inflammation spreads to the pleura surrounding the lungs, it can cause chest pain during breathing and shortness of breath.

Healthy adults may not experience any significant symptoms even if they contract pneumonia. Mild cases can often be easily treated with antibiotics and rest. O Ji-yeon, a professor of respiratory and allergy medicine at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Sputum is often yellow or green, but it can vary to dark red or hemoptysis," and added, "In atypical pneumonia, sputum is not usually present."

However, if individuals aged 65 or older or those with chronic illnesses contract pneumonia, it can potentially lead to death. In Korea, nine out of ten deaths caused by pneumonia are among the elderly aged 65 and above. When pregnant women, the elderly, or children contract pneumonia, more than half of them require hospitalization.

The reason pneumonia is particularly frightening is that it can easily worsen into conditions like sepsis when the immune system is weakened. Sepsis is a disease caused by microbial infection that leads to impairment of major organs, with mortality rates of 20-35% for severe sepsis and 40-60% for septic shock.

Professor Kim Yoon-seok of the Department of Pulmonology at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University, said, "Pneumonia typically appears acutely with high fever, cough, and sputum, but in the elderly, it may present with atypical symptoms such as shortness of breath or weakness without cough or sputum." He added, "If a person aged 65 or older experiences cold symptoms with high fever, cough, or sputum lasting more than three days, they should visit a hospital to check for pneumonia."

◇Need for 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day and preventive vaccination

To reduce the risk of pneumonia, it is important to maintain healthy habits that boost immunity and receive pneumonia vaccination. To prevent pneumonia infection, wash hands thoroughly after outdoor activities, eat regularly and a balanced diet, and get 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily to strengthen immunity.

Preventive vaccines are helpful for high-risk groups for pneumonia. Those aged 65 or older, or even if not, patients with chronic heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, cochlear implants (inner ear), cerebrospinal fluid leaks, immunosuppressive therapy, organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplants, or asplenia are considered high-risk groups.

Receiving the pneumococcal vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications that occur when infected with pneumococcus. The preventive effectiveness is 75% for seniors over 65 years old and 65-84% for individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory illnesses.

The pneumonia prevention vaccines used domestically contain 13 types (PCV13) and 23 types (PPSV23) of pneumococcal antigens, which are among the approximately 90 identified causative bacteria that most frequently cause pneumonia. The 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) are administered sequentially, with the 13-valent vaccine given as a single dose.

If the 23-valent vaccine is administered before the age of 65, depending on the recipient's condition, it can be re-administered 1-2 times with intervals of more than 5 years. For those aged 65 and older, vaccination is available free of charge. This year, free vaccination is available for individuals born up to 1958. Simultaneous vaccination with the influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended.

Professor Choi Cheon-woong of the Department of Pulmonology at Gangdong Kyunghee University Hospital said, "It is advisable for patients under 65 with chronic illnesses or underlying conditions, children from 2 months to under 5 years old, and children over 5 who are in high-risk groups to consult with a specialist and receive pneumonia prevention vaccines."

 

<Source: Korea Herald>