Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by micro-organisms- bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is the biggest infectious disease cause of death in children under five worldwide, yet it is preventable.
In 2019, an estimated 672,000 children were killed by pneumonia.1 child every 2 minutes!
- Common symptoms of pneumonia are cough, fast breathing, difficulty breathing and fever
Vaccines that protect against the organisms that can cause pneumonia
- Haemophilusinfluenzaetype b (Hib) – Pentavalent vaccine
- Influenza (flu)- available on request
- Measles– Measles vaccine
- Pertussis (whooping cough)- Pentavalent vaccine
- Pneumococcal– Pneumococcal vaccine
- Varicella (chickenpox)- Chicken pox vaccine
Rotavirus
This is a virus responsible for severe diarrheal diseases in children, According to WHO estimates in 2013 about 215 000 children aged under 5 years die each year from vaccine-preventable rotavirus infections; the vast majority of these children live in low-income countries.
WHO states that the use of rotavirus vaccines should be part of a comprehensive strategy to control diarrheal diseases.
Signs and symptoms:
- Fever
- Frequent, loose stools
- Malaise
- Weakness
Prevention:
- Exclusive breast feeding
- Basic sanitation
- Handwashing with soap
- Rotavirus vaccine at 6 weeks and 10 weeks
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