The Mexican Institute of Social Security warns about the importance of not self-medicating in case of symptoms such as chest pain, fever, chills, acute cough, or difficulty breathing, as they could be signs of pneumonia, both viral and bacterial. It is essential to go to the corresponding medical unit to receive appropriate treatment.
Pneumonia is a disease that can affect people of all ages, but there are two groups at higher risk of suffering from it and experiencing complications: babies and children under five years old, whose immune system is developing, and older adults, who may have other chronic health conditions. It is estimated that around 130,000 people get pneumonia each year.
To prevent this disease, the IMSS promotes vaccination against seasonal influenza and pneumococcus, especially in the vulnerable population. This measure helps reduce the risk of acquiring infections caused by different viruses and bacteria. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia, while they are not effective in the case of viral pneumonia.
On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day, Ismael Axayácatl Juárez Galindo, coordinator of Medical Programs of the Hospital Division, emphasizes that the IMSS has specialists in pulmonology and internal medicine who can diagnose pneumonia through interviews, physical exams, chest X-rays, and laboratory studies.
During the first eight months of this year, there have been 26,675 hospital discharges for pneumonia at the Second Level of care and 1,063 at the Third Level, according to data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Coordination. Most cases of pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization, with oral antibiotics, rest, fluids, and home care that are usually sufficient for a complete recovery.
