Why we should understand the basics of pneumonia

Hillary Clinton’s stumble over the weekend and the stated link to pneumonia has spurred new questions about the disease. And well it should, since it affects an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. every year, mostly adults, and causes some 50,000 deaths each year.

Globally, pneumonia kills nearly 1 million children under five years of age. A little known fact is that, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), pneumonia causes more deaths worldwide than any infectious disease, such as HIV infection, malaria or tuberculosis.

{mosads}Most distressing is that pneumonia infections are largely preventable and treatable in most cases with appropriate vaccines and treatments.

Although this infection of the lungs affects people of all ages with weakened immune systems, the groups most likely to become ill are those adults 65 years or older, children under five years of age, smokers and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. The symptoms are a persistent cough, fever, chills, fatigue and trouble breathing.

Known medically more broadly as pneumococcal disease, it can not only attack the lungs as pneumonia, but the bloodstream (bacteremia) and the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) as well. Most pneumococcal infections are mild, but they can develop into far more severe conditions.

Clinton’s recent situation is a very public reminder of how all of us can prevent the infection by the causal bacteria and viruses. It’s simply a matter of safe vaccines, treatment with antibiotics and antivirals, and certain basic common sense health care practices.

Pneumonia caused by bacteria is, by far, the most serious kind, and there is a recently-changed vaccine series that is recommended. It is now recommended that all patients over 65 should start with a vaccine called Prevnar, which contains seven different types of pneumococcal bacteria.

Exposing a patient to these bacteria will, of course, help the patient develop immunity to the disease. Prevnar should be followed six to 12 months later with a vaccine called Pneumovax, which contains 23 serotypes aimed at preventing the disease.

The combination of these two vaccines offers the most protection against the serious strains of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia vaccines are considered safe, and most people do not experience any side effects other than typical redness or soreness at the injection site,

But don’t ever discount the effectiveness of simple common sense and sound health practices, particularly since the pneumococcal bacteria can be spread from person to person by direct contact (through respiratory secretions such as saliva or mucus, and are often spread without the person feeling sick.

We’ve heard the proverbial “ounce of prevention” phrase variations countless times. However, the recommendations are always worth repeating, namely: avoid sick people, practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and often, cover a cough or sneeze, clean common surfaces and limit contact with cigarette smoke.

As serious as pneumonia sounds, it is also a potentially life threatening disease. The good news, simply put, is that it is preventable in most cases with a degree of caution, common sense and readily available vaccines and treatment.

Dr. Damon Raskin, MD is a leading board certified internist who has maintained a practice in Los Angeles, California since 1996. Dr. Raskin is affiliated with Concierge Choice Physicians, which is dedicated to preventive care options for patients and physicians.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.