Hyderabad: Pneumonia can strike anyone from infants to active adults and the elderly. In India, it accounts for nearly 23% of global cases, with millions of children affected each year. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the lungs, filling air sacs with fluid or pus, making breathing difficult and potentially leading to severe complications if untreated. Dr. Peddi Srikanth, Senior Consultant in Interventional Pulmonology at Star Hospital, emphasizes that awareness and timely care are crucial to saving lives.

Key points include children and older adults are at higher risk, but no one is completely immune. Persistent cough, fever, and shortness of breath should never be ignored. Vaccination, hygiene, avoiding smoke, and a healthy lifestyle reduce the risk of Pneumonia.

Antibiotics, antivirals, supportive care, or hospitalization ensure speedy recovery. Every year, pneumonia claims over 700,000 lives worldwide, yet it remains preventable and treatable. Awareness and action can protect everyone.

Pneumonia can affect anyone, but awareness, vaccination, and timely care can save countless lives. This World Pneumonia Day, let’s pledge to protect our families and communities through awareness and preventive action.