ALCOHOLISM, SMOKING, & INTAKE OF STEROIDS INCREASE RISK OF CONTRACTING PNEUMONIA — DR. OHALE

Reporter : CHIZOBA OPARA

As Nigerians joins the global community to mark the World Pneumonia Day, people are advised to take vaccines and adhere strictly to stipulated health guidelines to ensure prevention and control of the disease.

A consultant public health physician with the Imo State Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Dr. Ikechi Ohale, made the call while speaking with Radio Nigeria.

Dr. Ohale described pneumonia as an acute lung infectious disease, which primarily affects the respiratory system due to the accumulation of fluid, resulting from inflammation of the air space.

He noted that pneumonia was a major cause of death among children below two and adults above sixty-five years.

He cautioned against alcoholism, smoking and intake of steroids as they increase the risk of contracting the ailment.

Dr. Ohale listed fever, chest pain, sore throat, dry cough, muscular pains as some of the symptoms of pneumonia and urged those exhibiting the symptoms to quickly seek for medical attention as the ailment is curable.

The public health physician noted that the 2020 theme: “Let’s increase access to medical Oxygen,” is apt amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which according to a recent publication has increased pneumonia deaths by more than seventy-five percent globally.

Dr. Ohale also called on various governments to step up the fight against COVID-19 and by extension to pneumonia through the adoption of Legacy planning, which implied transition of all the infrastructure and gadgets used during the pandemic into the overall health system.