Srinagar, Nov 12: Immunocompromised individuals, including those with weakened immune systems due to underlying health conditions, medical treatments, or age, are more vulnerable to pneumonia, doctors said on Wednesday.
“Pneumonia is one of the most common and serious respiratory infections that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi,” Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, a noted pulmonologist and Head of the Department at Chest Diseases (CD) Hospital Srinagar, explained.
He said pneumonia continues to be the leading infectious cause of death in children under five years of age globally and also poses a serious threat to older adults and immunocompromised individuals.
“The good news is that pneumonia is largely preventable,” Dr Shah added. “Vaccination plays a crucial role — particularly PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine), Hib, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. Maintaining good nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding in infants, practising hand hygiene, and reducing indoor air pollution are equally vital.”
Another pulmonologist, Dr Javid Ahmad, said that immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk due to weakened immune systems and greater susceptibility to opportunistic infections. “People with conditions like HIV, cancer, or those using immunosuppressant drugs must be extra cautious,” he said. “They are strongly advised to receive all recommended vaccines against pneumonia-causing pathogens.”
Dr Javid further said that antibiotics are prescribed only for bacterial infections or in certain high-risk viral cases. “Most viral pneumonia cases require only symptomatic treatment or antivirals, not antibiotics,” he clarified.
According to doctors, early medical intervention can make a crucial difference. “Persistent cough, high fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath should never be ignored,” they advised. “Timely evaluation by healthcare professionals can prevent complications and save lives.”
Pneumonia can stem from bacterial, viral, or fungal causes, and identifying the correct cause is essential for appropriate treatment, according to doctors. They said risk factors include extreme age (infants or elderly), chronic diseases (like COPD, diabetes, heart disease), smoking, excessive alcohol use, and recent respiratory infections such as flu or COVID-19.
Doctors recommended several preventive measures, including vaccination against pneumonia-causing pathogens, good hygiene such as regular hand washing, healthy nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding for infants, avoiding exposure to cold air in early morning and evening hours, wearing adequate clothing, especially covering the mouth and nose, and managing chronic conditions while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
They also cautioned that COVID-19 and flu can mimic pneumonia symptoms, and tests are necessary to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections.
According to experts, modern medical tools have improved pneumonia management. They said rapid diagnostic tests like biomarkers, molecular diagnostics, and point-of-care testing have helped identify the cause of pneumonia more accurately. This ensures targeted therapy and reduces unnecessary antibiotic use, they said.
World Pneumonia Day is observed every year on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a preventable yet deadly disease that remains a leading cause of mortality across age groups worldwide. Established in 2009 by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia, the day emphasises global action to prevent and treat pneumonia through awareness, vaccination, and improved healthcare access.
This year’s theme, “Child Survival”, focuses on protecting children – the most vulnerable victims of this disease – and ensuring that no child dies from a preventable infection—(KNO)
