TÜSAD Reminds of Pandemic-Related Rules on World Pneumonia Day

TÜSAD Reminds Pandemic Safety Measures on 12 November World Pneumonia Day Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berna Kömürcüoğlu noted that pneumonia-related deaths could increase by 75 percent if no vaccine or effective treatment is found. Kömürcüoğlu stated that we are facing a much more serious and fatal viral pneumonia outbreak than in previous years, saying: "In addition to the importance of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene, we should especially avoid being in crowded indoor spaces." Pneumonia, known colloquially as "zatürre," is recognized worldwide as the leading infectious cause of death. Pneumonia can frequently develop due to bacterial, viral, or more rarely fungal infections. The Turkish Respiratory Research Society (TÜSAD) drew attention to the fact that pneumonia is a much more dangerous disease during the pandemic period and issued important warnings on 12 November 2020, "World Pneumonia Day."

Approximately 2.5 million people died in 2019

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berna Kömürcüoğlu, Head of TÜSAD Infection Working Group, stated: "The serious rise in pneumonia and deaths due to the COVID-19 outbreak sweeping across the world is now on our agenda as never before," and made the following statement: "In 2019, approximately 2.5 million people (including 672,000 children) died from pneumonia-related causes. From December 2019 to the present, 1,273,714 people worldwide have been reported to have died from COVID-19 infection. If no more effective treatment or vaccine is found, deaths from COVID-19 are expected to add 1.9 million people annually to this number. This corresponds to a 75 percent increase in pneumonia-related deaths compared to previous years, demonstrating that we are facing a very serious and fatal problem."

Diagnosis process should be shortened

Kömürcüoğlu pointed to additional measures that should be taken alongside "mask, social distancing, hand washing" precautions for COVID-19 infection, saying: "Shortening the diagnosis process through rapid diagnostic methods, ensuring effective treatment and isolation, and providing oxygen support to patients in need are vital during the outbreak period." Kömürcüoğlu, recalling that in pneumonias other than COVID-19, risk groups are children under 5 years of age (especially under 2 years) and elderly people aged 65 and over, and those with underlying diseases have high frequency and mortality, and routine pneumococcal vaccination is recommended, said the following: "In adults, those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, other chronic diseases, those who have had their spleen removed, or conditions that weaken the immune system are more susceptible to pneumonia. When vaccination is performed and immunity develops, the frequency of pneumonia and pneumonia-related deaths decrease. Likewise, in the over-65 group and those with underlying conditions, seasonal influenza vaccination is important both in making influenza infection milder and in preventing secondary bacterial/viral infections.  

"We are facing a viral pneumonia outbreak"

"On this year's World Pneumonia Day, we are facing a much more serious and fatal viral pneumonia outbreak than in previous years," said Kömürcüoğlu, continuing: "The importance of masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and especially avoiding crowded indoor spaces, along with people actively protecting themselves from COVID-19 infection transmission, is very important. Vaccination still holds its importance; in particular, children and risk groups should receive pneumococcal and seasonal influenza vaccinations against other pneumonia agents. Vaccination reduces the frequency and deaths from pneumonia due to these agents, while also preventing clinical presentations that could be confused with COVID-19 infection and preventing immune deficiency due to infection."