The health secretary, Secretary Francisco Duque recently reported an increase in the number of patients with bronchitis and pneumonia due to abrupt weather changes.
“Pneumonia and bronchitis are common cases in hospitals. But these diseases are still considered all year-round. Sudden weather changes like rains and then warm weather, combined with air pollution, can cause not only lung diseases but other system diseases,” he said.
The health chief advised the public to live a healthy lifestyle to keep away from diseases.
The health secretary urge the people to avoid sleeping late, smoking and drinking as these habits weakens a person’s immune system.
Duque said pneumonia and bronchitis usually occur when the body’s immune system is low.
“This causes a weakened defense mechanism that may allow germs like bacteria to work their way into the lungs and inflame the air sacs,” he said adding the germs are normally present in the nose, throat, mouth and in the air but can filtered by the body’s defense mechanism to deter its entry to the lungs.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi due to exposure to viruses, bacteria, cigarette smoke and chemical pollutants.
Pneumonia, on the other hand, is a serious infection that affects the air sacs. Oxygen supply to the lung is decreased thus the patient experiences shortness of breath. |
