Seven more children succumb to pneumonia in Punjab

Pneumonia claimed seven more lives of children during the past 24 hours in Punjab, the health department on Friday.

According to the Punjab Health Department, a total of 764 new cases of pneumonia were reported during the last 24 hours. The health authorities said a child lost his life during the last 24 hours in Lahore, while the provincial capital logged 178 fresh cases of pneumonia.

Punjab has reported 303 pneumonia-related deaths, while over 18,000 cases have been reported in the province.

Health experts attribute the rapid increase in cases and deaths in Punjab to the environmental pollution caused by smog during the winter season.

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs, often caused by viruses. It can manifest after symptoms of a cold or flu and can range from mild to severe. Typically, pneumonia is more common in children aged five or younger.

The health authorities in Punjab are working to address the surge in the cases, emphasizing the need for public awareness and preventive measures to curb the spread of the infection.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath