Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the airways and spaces in our lungs. There is a vaccine available and it can be treated, but pneumonia kills more children than HIV, malaria and measles combined.

Almost four children die from pneumonia every minute – that’s two million children each year, accounting for 19% of all deaths in under fives.

Pneumonia is contagious and is usually transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes, sending small droplets that contain the germ into the air. Bacteria cause about 60% of pneumonia cases in the developing world, which means they can be treated with antibiotics, unlike most cases of pneumonia in wealthy countries which are viral. 99% of deaths from pneumonia are in developing countries.

If treated quickly, pneumonia is also not usually fatal. But if not treated, difficulty in breathing, fever, loss of appetite and seizures can lead to death within three to four days. Adults can catch it, but it mostly affects children under five, particularly children with low birth weight or those whose immune systems are weakened by malnutrition or other diseases.

Every year 150 million children in the developing world contract the disease.

Health Poverty Action says:

• Developing countries need cheaper access to vaccines to immunise against pneumonia and antibiotics that can treat it. As well as enough drugs, there needs to be effective distribution systems and enough health workers and health centres – particularly in remote areas – to cope with demand.
• Accessible health information is also needed to help parents recognise early symptoms of pneumonia in their children so they can access treatment quickly.

What is Health Poverty Action doing to help?

• In Sierra Leone health workers and community volunteers will be trained to help prevent childhood illnesses including pneumonia
• Remote communities in Laos are benefitting from health education on preventing and managing disease.