So the pneumonia Still World’s Biggest Baby killer. Although the live and silent in the throat of healthy people, both infants, toddlers and adults, pneumococcal bacteria can cause several serious illnesses in infants. These bacteria even become the biggest killers of infants and toddlers in the world.
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) or pneumonia is the most common bacterial cause of meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) in infants or children.
So the pneumonia Still World’s Biggest Baby killer
Types of bacteria can also cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia (pneumonia), bacteremia and sepsis (bacteria in the blood), as well as ear infections and nasal cavity (sinus).
Meningitis, bacteremia and pneumonia are the scourge of infants and toddlers. Diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria is the biggest killer of infants and toddlers in the world (WHO, June 2003).
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children, far more than diarrhea. Defects caused by pneumococcus is also more than Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B.
Pneumococcal bacteria live and dwell in the throat of healthy individuals, both infants, toddlers and adults. When the immune system is not strong, especially in infants, bacteria will enter the body to the lungs (causing pneumonia), blood (bacteremia, sepsis) and brain (meningitis).
According to Dr. Soedjatmiko, when throat problems or impaired, the pneumococcal bacteria will enter the body and our immune system can not fight it, even with antibiotics though.
This bacteria is easily spread and transmitted through the air when coughing, sneezing, also through saliva spray.
Every baby is at risk of contracting pneumococcal bacteria since they were born, ie 60 percent of siblings and 12 percent of the mothers. This has led to many deaths of infants and toddlers because pneumococcal disease.
So the pneumonia Still World’s Biggest Baby killer
Actually, the spread of harmful bacteria can be prevented by efforts to do that is:
Nutrition
With breastfeeding, complete and balanced diet, vitamin A, Zinc, and others.
Healthy behavior
1. Shut your mouth or nose when coughing and sneezing
2. Avoid kissing your baby with mouth
3. Avoid repeated viral infections (flu repeatedly)
4. Avoid pollution such as cigarette smoke and kitchen smoke
Vaccination or immunization
1. With routine immunization: BCG, DTP, measles, Hib, Influenza
2. And special vaccination: pneumococcal (PCV 7, PCV 13).