Thread by @WHO

Today is #WorldPneumoniaDay.

#Pneumonia alone killed more than 800 000 children in 2017, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years old.

It’s the single largest infectious cause of death in children 🌎🌍

bit.ly/2X7sJWL

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN #Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. It can be caused by a number of infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

bit.ly/2X7sJWL #WorldPneumoniaDay

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN #Pneumonia can be spread in a number of ways:
1⃣The viruses & bacteria that are commonly found in a 🧒's 👃 or throat, can infect the lungs if they are inhaled
2⃣Via air-borne droplets from a cough or 🤧
3⃣Through blood, especially during & shortly after birth
#WorldPneumoniaDay

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN #Pneumonia affects 👦👧 and 👪👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 everywhere, but it can be prevented with simple interventions:
💉 Immunization
🥕Adequate nutrition
🔥🥘 Reducing exposure to indoor air pollution
🏡 Improving housing conditions
🚬 Avoiding smoking near children

bit.ly/2qJcUGC

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN #Pneumonia caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, but only third of 👧👦 with pneumonia receive the antibiotics they need.

The antibiotic therapy must ALWAYS be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
#WorldPneumoniaDay

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN Nearly 1 million 👦👧 die from #pneumonia each year.

Half of those deaths are linked to #AirPollution.

Let`s STOP pneumonia. It`s time to #BreatheLife.

bit.ly/2qJcUGC

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN Children living in poor or remote communities are most at risk.

Evidence shows children are dying from preventable diseases, like #pneumonia, because effective interventions are not provided equitably across all communities.

#WorldPneumoniaDay

@WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN While vaccines 💉 are a vital part of prevention for #pneumonia, they need to be combined with:
🤱 breastfeeding
🍐 nutritious food
🏡 a clean environment

Ensuring that families have access to health services and the right medicines is also essential.

#WorldPneumoniaDay