No Hope Lost: A Fight Against Pneumonia and Diarrhea!
Did you know that Pneumonia and Diarrhea are the two leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide in children less than 5 years of age?
I used to work as a Staff Nurse in a military hospital here in Manila. I was then assigned in three busy areas - ER Female, Medical Ward and Pediatric Ward. Somehow, I've already memorized emergency scenarios where patients coming with difficulty of breathing and lost of consciousness due to severe dehydration.
B was only nine months old when she needed to confine in the hospital due to pneumonia. We arrived in the ER with complaints of (signs and symptoms) productive cough, colds, wheezing and high fever. At home, there's no relief despite round the clock paracetamol and I noticed that the child started to have difficulty of breathing and refuses to drink her milk so I told her mom to bring B to the nearest hospital. I wasn't surprise when the doctor told me it was pneumonia and we're advised to secure a room for her admission. My sister was so afraid even worried on hospital expenses.
Pneumonia is the single greatest cause of death in children worldwide. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of illness and death among Filipino children less than 5 years old. National statistics show an estimated 37 Filipino children die of pneumonia every day.
While pneumonia remains to be number 1, Diarrhea is the 2nd leading killer of children under 5 years of age, accounting for 1.4 million child deaths annually. The cause - Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RVGE) and severe dehydration in young children. It is also the leading reason of diarrheal hospitalizations and deaths among children. It is most severe and frequent in infants aged 3-24 months.
Even children in our family could suffer from these diseases. As parents and guardians, we were trying our best to keep them healthy all the time.
Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) continues to be a committed partner of both private healthcare practitioners and the government in the fight against Pneumonia and Diarrhea. Few days ago, I attended the campaign "No Hope, Lost" providing information about these two deadly diseases. Mommy bloggers and other guests learned how to properly deal with diarrhea and pneumonia. So, together with celebrity mom and singer, Ms. Barbie Almalbis, Mommy Manila supports No Hope Lost campaign.
I used to work as a Staff Nurse in a military hospital here in Manila. I was then assigned in three busy areas - ER Female, Medical Ward and Pediatric Ward. Somehow, I've already memorized emergency scenarios where patients coming with difficulty of breathing and lost of consciousness due to severe dehydration.
B was only nine months old when she needed to confine in the hospital due to pneumonia. We arrived in the ER with complaints of (signs and symptoms) productive cough, colds, wheezing and high fever. At home, there's no relief despite round the clock paracetamol and I noticed that the child started to have difficulty of breathing and refuses to drink her milk so I told her mom to bring B to the nearest hospital. I wasn't surprise when the doctor told me it was pneumonia and we're advised to secure a room for her admission. My sister was so afraid even worried on hospital expenses.
Pneumonia is the single greatest cause of death in children worldwide. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of illness and death among Filipino children less than 5 years old. National statistics show an estimated 37 Filipino children die of pneumonia every day.
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung which affects primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. The typical symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
I can still remember the (Signs and Symptoms) flaring of the nose, the wheezing sound and the crackles on her lungs. Perhaps, the moral lesson is to seek medical advise at the early onset of cough and fever. If B was treated earlier, she don't have to suffer the discomfort of intravenous therapy.
While pneumonia remains to be number 1, Diarrhea is the 2nd leading killer of children under 5 years of age, accounting for 1.4 million child deaths annually. The cause - Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RVGE) and severe dehydration in young children. It is also the leading reason of diarrheal hospitalizations and deaths among children. It is most severe and frequent in infants aged 3-24 months.
Even children in our family could suffer from these diseases. As parents and guardians, we were trying our best to keep them healthy all the time.
Prevention:
Handwashing with soap
Safe drinking water and sanitation
Reduce household air pollution such as smoking
Vaccination: PCV and Rotavirus
Early prevention is better than cure! Seek for medical advise.
GSK’S SUPPORT IN THIS CRUSADE
GSK’S SUPPORT IN THIS CRUSADE
Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) continues to be a committed partner of both private healthcare practitioners and the government in the fight against Pneumonia and Diarrhea. Few days ago, I attended the campaign "No Hope, Lost" providing information about these two deadly diseases. Mommy bloggers and other guests learned how to properly deal with diarrhea and pneumonia. So, together with celebrity mom and singer, Ms. Barbie Almalbis, Mommy Manila supports No Hope Lost campaign.
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