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Fatal Consequences Pneumonia often remains unrecognized
In case of complaints such as coughing, fever and exhaustion, almost everyone first thinks of a respiratory tract infection but not of pneumonia. Exactly this is the treachery of the disease, which is therefore often not recognized. This is dangerous because pneumonia can also be fatal. Experts explain how to prevent.
A neglected danger
Health experts say pneumonia is still a neglected hazard. This can partly be explained by the fact that many people are more likely to think of a respiratory tract infection, but not necessarily of pneumonia, in the case of complaints such as coughing, fever or exhaustion. If chills appear in addition to the symptoms described, or if coughing is accompanied by purulent or even bloody expectoration, a doctor should be consulted quickly. Because all of these are signs of pneumonia.
Pneumonia is the most common fatal infectious disease in Western Europe. But the danger is still neglected. And that, although you can protect against it. (Image: tibanna79 / fotolia.com) Every year, around 750,000 Germans contract pneumonia
"According to our estimates, 800,000 patients fall ill with pneumonia every year nationwide, and around 75,000 people die of it," said Professor Dr. med. Tobias Welte, Director of the Department of Pulmonology of the Hannover Medical School (MHH) in a press release years ago. Meanwhile, the expert assumes a slightly lower number.
According to this, around 750,000 people in Germany develop pneumonia each year. Other experts estimate the deaths from pneumonia here in Germany at about 35,000 per year. Pneumonia is the most common fatal infectious disease in Western Europe.
People with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk
In a message from the news agency dpa, Prof. Tobias Welte explained: "Particularly at risk of developing pneumonia are people with a weakened immune system."
In many cases, it is preceded by an infection in the throat and throat area. "Pneumonia is mainly caused by bacteria, such as pneumococci, but also occasionally by viruses or other pathogens," says Welte.
Transmission by droplet infection
The causative agents of bacterial pneumonia are transmitted in most cases by droplet infection - when speaking, coughing or sneezing. But not every pathogen automatically leads to pneumonia.
According to the Ulm internist for lung and bronchial medicine Michael Barczok from the Federal Association of Pulmonologists, Sleep and Respiratory Medicine, it depends on how resistant the immune system is.
At the onset of the disease, the alveoli and sometimes the lung tissue are inflamed and swollen. The doctor can use a blood test and X-ray of the lungs to determine whether there is indeed pneumonia.
Follow the doctor's treatment plan
Bacterial pneumonia is primarily treated with antibiotics. If there is no improvement within 24 hours of taking the preparation, the patient will normally be prescribed other antibiotics.
"As a rule, the antibiotics have to be taken for five to seven days depending on the doctor's prescription," explained Ursula Sellerberg of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists in the dpa report.
The treatment plan of the doctor must be strictly adhered to, antibiotics must not be discontinued too early, even then, when the symptoms have subsided. "If you omit the medication too soon, you risk a relapse," warned Sellerberg.
Cortisone for pneumonia
Also interesting in this context are findings that have emerged from long-term studies at Swiss hospitals. According to cortisone to help against pneumonia.
The scientists reported in the journal "The Lancet" that pneumonia heal faster if the therapy with antibiotics is supplemented with cortisone. The researchers said in the publication last year that their study will probably change the treatment of pneumonia "worldwide".
Preventive vaccination
Virus-induced pneumonia, on the other hand, can not be affected by medication. Here the therapy is limited to the relief of the symptoms. To prevent pneumonia, it should, according to health experts against pneumococci, the most common causative agent of bacterial pneumonia, vaccinated.
This protective measure is also highlighted in the revised vaccination recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission at the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO). A statement by the RKI states: "Pneumococci are the main cause of bacterial pneumonia in Europe. The STIKO estimates that more than 5,000 people in Germany die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease."
Prof. Welte explained: "This vaccine is especially recommended for people over 60, chronically ill as well as children up to the second year of life." It is fundamentally important to strengthen the immune system. For this you should, among other things, healthy - with plenty of fruit and vegetables - nourish, move regularly and stop smoking. (Ad)