World Pneumonia Day

World Pneumonia Day is celebrated on November 12, every year by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and several other international organisations to create awareness about Pneumonia, its symptoms, causes, and treatment. It is one of the leading causes of death in children under five years old despite being a preventable and treatable disease. In this article you will read about the significance of the day and the causes, symptoms and ways of prevention of the disease.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about World Pneumonia Day to get the basic information. The topic, if at all asked in the UPSC Prelims, will form the part of the current affairs.

Facts About World Pneumonia Day for UPSC Exam

Read the below-mentioned facts about World Pneumonia Day; and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation.

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About World Pneumonia Day

• Pneumonia is the world’s biggest infectious killer. According to WHO it claims the lives of around 2.5 million people every year.
• World Pneumonia Day was established in 2009 by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia under the Stop Pneumonia Initiative. The Global Coalition against child pneumonia is an organisation based on the government, community-based, educational and 3 the proven approaches and solutions in need of additional resources and attention.
• This theme for World Pneumonia Day 2021 was ‘Stop Pneumonia/ Every Breath Counts’. The theme targeted at increasing the number of affordable medicines and oxygen cylinders in low-income countries.

About Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory disease that affects the lungs and aggravates the air sacs of the lungs. This happens when the lungs(alveoli) are filled with discharge or liquids, making it painful and difficult for them to breathe.

• Cause and Spread- Pneumonia is contagious and can be spread through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through fluids, like blood during childbirth, or from contaminated surfaces. Infectious agents may include bacteria, viruses and fungi. These agents are-
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is the cause of bacterial pneumonia in children mostly.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.
  • Viral cause of pneumonia is respiratory syncytial virus.
• At risk- Mostly children under the age of 5 or with weak immune systems due to malnutrition, undernourishment, or other diseases, have a reduced ability to recover. Adults above the age of 65 are also prone to the disease.
• Symptoms– High fever and chills, physical weakness, cough with phlegm, a feeling of being unwell, shortness of breath and rapid breathing, and a racing pulse.
• Prevention and Vaccine- Preventive measures include maintaining hygiene and getting vaccinations against certain pneumonia causing bacteria. Vaccine for Pneumonia caused by bacteria is 3 doses of the primary vaccine (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), under Universal Immunization Program (UIP).
• Initiatives Related to Pneumonia:
  • Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS)
  • Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD)
  • WHO and UNICEF had launched an integrated Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD)

Read more about TB and the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination in the link.

Significance of World Pneumonia Day

• The World Pneumonia Day 2021 coincided with COP-26, the UNFCCC.The objective of this is to tackle Pneumonia by bringing together the communities which work with the health, air quality and climate community.
• The aim of Every Breath Counts coalition is to call on the governments with heavy burdens of pneumonia and air pollution to commit to reduce air pollution- relating pneumonia deaths by 50% by 2030.
• The significance of observing the day is to understand the problems of climate and air pollution and to raise awareness through campaigns and provide aid to fight against the disease.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

Related Links-