With 13,000 deaths a year in Italy alone, pneumonia is still the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. It often manifests itself as a serious complication of influenza and this occurs mainly in people over 65 or in the most vulnerable individuals affected by other diseases. However, in many cases it is possible to prevent pneumonia with a simple gesture. As? By vaccinating against pneumococcus, the bacterium responsible for nearly half of community-acquired infections. And now, in the pandemic era, protecting oneself is even more important, for various reasons: to defend oneself and others in the delicate moment of reopening, to counter the risk of bacterial infections (such as those of pneumonia) concomitant with Covid- 19, and to reduce the load on hospitals.
Pneumonia in numbers
In 2018, 13,606 Italians died of pneumonia, according to the most recent Istat data, almost all over 65. Numbers that provide a clear signal: we must not underestimate this and other respiratory diseases, which together represent the main cause of death, after cardiovascular diseases and tumors.
Because the numbers are high
The growth in life expectancy with the consequent coexistence, in increasingly elderly people, of more than one pathology, together with the expansion of the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, are among the main causes of deaths from pneumonia. One of the main culprits is pneumococcus – scientific name Streptococcus pneumoniae – which causes 30-50% of infections. This bacterium is normally present in our body, at the level of the mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx, and is harmless. In particular circumstances, however, especially in the weakest subjects, if it spreads to the lungs, ears and cerebral meninges it can give rise to some serious infections.
Who risks the most?
Older age, smoking habit, having certain predisposing diseases, or a weakened immune system can increase the likelihood of developing serious lung infections. Most at risk, according to experts, are: the elderly, children and adults with pathologies, pregnant women, immunosuppressed. Among the predisposing diseases, in particular, there are: COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes mellitus. “In this period of the year these people are more easily subject to the risk of contracting the flu, of which pneumonia is the most serious complication – comments Francesco Blasi Director of the Pneumology Department of the IRCCS Cà Granda Foundation of the Policlinico Ospedale Maggiore in Milan . “Influenza can in fact lead to pneumonia when the body’s defenses are not optimal and the pathology can be due both to the flu virus itself and to bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which overinfect the subject by taking advantage of the decreased local immune response linked to viral infection “.
Pneumonia, the interview with Dr. Francesco Blasi (edited by Pfizer)
Prevention is possible: who should do it
The good news is that today you can protect yourself, thanks to the pneumococcal vaccination. Adult vaccination can be given in a single dose and can be done either with the flu vaccine during the epidemic season or at any other time in an individual’s life. “Although in the last epidemic season the flu cases have drastically decreased, thanks also to the preventive measures of containment from COVID-19, a relaxation of restrictions could bring the flu viruses back into circulation as early as this month” – comments Carlo Tascini, Director of the Clinic of Infectious diseases in Udine. “A sharp rise in flu infections during the current COVID-19 pandemic could have serious consequences for the elderly and people with weak immune systems who may be exposed to bacterial overlaps, such as pneumococcus. Reason why it is necessary to protect them with vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia “.
Pneumonia, the interview with Dr. Carlo Tascini (edited by Pfizer)
Protecting others and ourselves are at the heart of “Choose to Protect Yourself,” Pfizer’s new pneumonia prevention campaign.
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