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Pneumonia kills 1child under 5 every 2 minutes

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7 years ago

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New Delhi : Although pneumonia kills one child under five every two minutes in India, the disease is preventable -through vaccines, healthy lifestyle and timely medical intervention -say doctors from the Indian Academy of Paediatrics.

While pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, studies have found that at least three out of 20 children are infected by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

“The government of India has included pneumococcal vaccine under the immunisa tion scheme, but it is now available only in select states. It may take time to launch the vaccine in Tamil Nadu, but parents who can afford it should vaccinate their children,” said Dr C Satheesh, president, Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Chennai, on Tuesday , ahead of World Pneumonia Day on November 12. \

The cost of the vaccine is `3,600 and children below the age of 15 months will require three doses and a booster.

Statistics show that at least 30 per1,000 children are affected by the disease. In 2010 (the latest statistics available), there were more than 3.6 million episodes of pneumonia among children.

 “But in many cases, the cost is high because increasingly bacteria are resistant to drugs like amoxicillin. The second line of treatment is expensive and costs a ton and worse there is no guarantee on the outcome,” Dr Satheesh said.
 
Several senior paediatricians agreed. “It is important to give children the vaccine. It prevents illness and suffering.Also, parents spend more when the child is infected,” said Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital medical director Dr S Balasubramanian.
 
A study co-authored by Dr Balasubramanian says streptococcus pneumoniae is the major cause of pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. “It’s now proven beyond doubt that vaccines are effective. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies, governments and aid donors need to come together to make the vaccine price more affordable to save more lives,” he said.
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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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