TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Pneumonia is an inflammatory or inflammatory condition that occurs in the lung tissue. This inflammation can be caused by several microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
Dr. dr. Erlina Burhan, Sp.P(K) said pneumonia often occurs in the elderly and children because of a low immune system. The lung specialist from the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI) recommends that people improve their lung health immunity body to prevent pneumonia or pneumonia caused by viruses or bacteria.
“We always have the principle that prevention is much better than treatment. The prevention we want to convey to the public is to improve the immune system,” said Erlina.
Efforts to prevent pneumonia are by increasing the immune system, namely clean and healthy living behavior, eating a balanced diet, not drinking alcohol, not smoking, getting enough rest, and managing stress so it doesn’t last long. Erlina emphasized that the elderly do 15-30 minutes of light exercise at least three times a week.
“For the elderly, only light exercise, which can be tolerated by age and also often. So, don’t just do it once, three to five times per week, at most half an hour with movements that are not too tiring. If this is If this is done, it is hoped that immunity will increase,” he said.
The incidence rate of pneumonia cases in Indonesia is around 25-40 per 10,000 population. The elderly are a group that is susceptible to pneumonia because: immune system declining body. Children, especially toddlers, are also susceptible to pneumonia because the immune system is not yet perfect. In addition, the behavior of toddlers who often play on the floor and put objects in their mouths can also cause bacteria to enter the body.
Severe pneumonia can be caused by the corona virus that causes COVID-19, pneumonia with a severe degree can also be caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Erlina explained that the symptoms of pneumonia caused by this bacterium cause inflammation and cause coughing. Cough due to bacteria usually coughs up phlegm, with thick, greenish or yellowish phlegm.
“When the sputum cannot be removed, it will cause congestion in the patient,” he said.
Also read: Boost the Immunity of the Elderly with the Pneumonia Vaccine
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