Rains bring coolness, greenery but also sickness for some people as the cold damp weather favors growth of germs. 

"Pneumonia” is the infection and inflammation of the lung tissue or the airways. Both genders and all ages are susceptible to develop pneumonia. In the third world countries, childhood pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death of children It could be a, "Lobar pneumonia” where entire lung is involved or "bronchopneumonia” where a bronchus and surrounding area may be affected. "Interstitial pneumonia” or, "pneumonitis” is patchy affection of lung tissue.

At the early stages there may be no symptoms or just malaise, mild cough and chest pain for one or two days.

Then there is sudden high fever, excess cough with mucopurulent sputum and even blood with chest pain. Very soon the patient gets prostrated and is in distress because of breathlessness. The intensity of symptoms varies depending on the infecting organism and dose of infection. Bacterial pneumonias are usually more severe than fungal or viral. Resistance of the individual and other coexisting conditions also determine the severity of infection. Smoking impairs the protective functions of the inner lining of nose and also damages lung tissue. As a result, the individual is not only more prone to develop severe pneumonia. Other lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, asthma or TB, make a person more prone to pneumonia. Workers, who are constantly exposed to large amount of dust of various kinds, also carry a high risk of pneumonia. This is because of damage to lungs caused by the chronically inhaled dust. Alcohol weakens an individual’s resistance making him more prone to pneumonia.

Cold and or damp weather also increases the incidence of pneumonia due to being favourable for breeding of various micro organisms. Pneumonia is also one of the major causes of death among elderly people, especially the bed-ridden ones, because of weakened resistance and impaired expectoration of secretions.

Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, mycobacterium, viruses or fungi. Infection occurs by inhalation of droplets containing germs from a person sitting or standing close or aspiration of oral secretions containing germs. Rarely, it may spread from infection in another part of body by the blood stream.

Diagnosis is suspected on the basis of symptoms and clinical examination and confirmed by X-ray of the lungs.

Timely treatment is necessary, to avoid complications like inflammation of covering of lungs. Sinister complication is infection of the brain which can cause neurological problems. In case of severe damage to the lung tissue, working efficiency is reduced. This leads to difficulty in breathing and some breathlessness, even after recovery.

Severe untreated pneumonia can be fatal.

Treatment consists of drugs to relieve the pain and fever and suitable anti infective agents. Postural drainage is useful in case of copious secretions. Drinking warm water and liquids, inhalation of steam are other measures which are simple to implement and provide immense relief.

A person not only suffers physically, but also economically in terms of loss of working days and expenses on treatment. A healthy and disciplined life style can prevent pneumonias, by boosting the immune system. Quitting smoking is beneficial. People whose work involves chronic exposure to dust should use protective masks to prevent inhalation of dust.

Houses should be kept aerated with goof sunlight. Sunlight kills the germs naturally and good aeration prevents concentration of germs.

In case one does get pneumonia it is best to take early treatment. Breathing exercises done regularly by the correct technique are very useful in strengthening the functioning of the lungs after pneumonia.

Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital