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5 ways to prevent pneumonia

Keep your child safe by following these tips.

Written by Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : May 12, 2017 3:40 PM IST

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Conditions - Pneumonia Prevention - Children's HealthTHS

Pneumonia is a common air-borne disease that spreads via viruses and bacteria and afflicts both adults and children alike. The WHO estimates that in 2015 itself, around 9,22,000 children under the age of five died due to the pneumonia. Dr Mukesh Agarwal, Head of Paediatrics department of civic-run KEM Hospital in Mumbai, says, you can protect your child from the risk of contracting this disease. Here's how.

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Zinc Pill-pneumonia

Zinc supplements – Studies have found that around 70 mg of zinc supplement per week can prevent acute lower respiratory tract infection and diarrhoea, thus reducing the risk of pneumonia in children younger than five years old.

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Fruits - Pneumonia

Adequate nutrition – A balanced diet packed with proteins is essential to build the immune system. Also, foods rich in vitamin A and C like citrus and yellow coloured fruits help in preventing diseases like pneumonia. For babies younger than six months old, breastfeeding is extremely important as the immunoglobulin or antibodies present in breast milk prevent infection. Also Read - Heatwaves in India: How extreme summer temperatures are putting children at risk of dehydration, infections, and heatstroke

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Handwashing - Pneumonia

Practice good hygiene – Make it a point to regularly wash your hands with soap or handwash. Pneumonia spreads via bacteria and viruses alike and one of the ways to keep the bacteria at bay is by washing not only your hands, but also your child’s at regular intervals throughout the day.