Pneumonia cases are expected to surge during the Christmas period due to cold weather. Health analytics company, Dr Foster, has urged hospitals to prepare for the rise in cases. Data compiled from all NHS admissions last year showed a drastic increase in Pneumonia cases between Christmas and New Year. On Dec 29th last year, 1,141 people were admitted for the disease; 36 percent more than on Dec 20th.
Most of the patients admitted were elderly people who were over the age of 80.
Pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs. The tiny air sacs in the lungs become swollen and fill up with fluid or pus. This, in turn, makes is much harder for patients to breathe. The disease is normally caused via a bacterial infection. However, it can also be caused by a virus or even fungi.
Pneumonia is most commonly coupled with a chronic cough. The cough will either be dry or produce thick mucus. The disease also causes breathlessness, fever, sweating, shivering, loss of appetite, and chest pain. The most common treatment for Pneumonia is antibiotics.
Christmas is most associated with cold weather. Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said, “Cold weather kills and these figures paint a worrying picture for winter in the UK.”
Read the full article from the Express here.
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