Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection impacting the lungs, where small air sacs known as alveoli become filled with pus and fluid, leading to painful breathing and reduced oxygen intake.
Pneumonia contributes to 14 per cent of deaths in children under 5 years old. In 2019, it killed 740,180 children in 2019, as per WHO.
Viruses, bacteria, or fungi can be responsible for causing pneumonia. The most infectious agents include Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Respiratory Syncytial virus.
Prevention strategies for pneumonia include immunisation, ensuring adequate nutrition, and addressing environmental factors to reduce the risk of infection.
While bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, only one-third of children with pneumonia receive the necessary antibiotic treatment.