Preventive Vaccination

With an increasing number of elderly people suffering from pneumonia, the only way to stay is vaccination, says Dr. R. Narasimhan.

India’s ageing population is rapidly increasing. Greater awareness about nutrition , fitness, prevention measures and access to advanced treatment options has significantly increased survival rate and lifespan.

Of the various health issues that beset the elderly, pneumococcal disease, a potentially life threatening one, is significantly under-recognised.

Globally, pneumonia is the major cause of mortality among seniors aged 65 and older. With a rapidly increasing older population, doctors in India are seeing a steady rise in respiratory disorders. Poor management of this can lead to pneumococcal disease, most often seen in the elderly population and young children.

Pneumococcal disease (PD) may be invasive or non-invasive. Invasive Pneumococcal disease is a group that includes pneumonia (infection of the lungs), meningitis (infection of the brain), bacteremia (infection in the blood) and otitis media (ear infections).

People over 50 years of age are at a heightened risk of pneumococcal disease given the declining immune system combined with the associated medical disorders. Risk factors for pneumococcal disease among the elderly include chronic lung disease (including asthma), chronic liver disease, chronic renal disease, cancer and diabetes.

However, pneumonia is the leading cause of preventable deaths. The only way for this to change is preventive vaccination. Most people assume that vaccination is meant only for children. But it is a simple and effective health intervention recommended for adults as an important preventive measure against fatalities like pneumonia.

Opting for preventive vaccination is a cost-effective investment for healthy ageing.

Thanks,

The Hindu – Well Being

25/11/2012