World Pneumonia Day: Pfizer raises awareness about disease

Pfizer says a child dies from pneumonia every 20 seconds

In observance of World Pneumonia Day, Pfizer is supporting efforts to raise awareness of Pneumococcal Pneumonia, who’s at risk, and how to prevent this sometimes serious disease — a prominent cause of death throughout the world, said a statement issued on Tuesday. “Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children worldwide.  In fact, every 20 seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies from pneumonia,” it said. People face increased risk of infection as they get older due to age-related decline of the immune system, the statement added.  It further explained that pneumonia is characterised by inflammation of the lungs that causes air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2014.