The pulmonologist spoke about new methods of fighting pneumonia

Russian doctors have unique experience in fighting pneumonia, and the country has built an effective system for monitoring patients after suffering from the disease. Sergey Avdeev, chief freelance pulmonologist at the Russian Ministry of Health, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Clinic of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine at Sechenov University, told Izvestia on November 12 on World Pneumonia Day.

According to the expert, in Russia, all patients who have had pneumonia should be under the supervision of a doctor and undergo regular medical examinations.

"The percentage of medical examinations of patients with pneumonia is on average quite high in the country — more than 70%. There is no such approach anywhere in the world, and this is a unique experience that needs to be shared," Avdeev emphasized.

The academician noted that the Sechenov University Clinic was one of the first in the world to study a new method of treating community—acquired pneumonia - the use of inhaled nitric oxide as an antibacterial agent. If it is given for a short time in high doses in the form of sessions, it is possible to achieve the so-called anti-infective effect. The data obtained during the study confirm the reduction in the time of hospitalization of patients.

Avdeev also pointed out that thanks to COVID-19, new techniques have been introduced into clinical practice.

"An additional number of CT scanners have appeared in our country — we are actually talking about hundreds of devices. Respiratory support for severe pneumonia has been widely used — noninvasive ventilation, high—flow oxygen therapy," the expert stated.

As for prevention, the academician recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle and consider the possibility of vaccination against pneumococcus, especially for people from risk groups. This year, he pointed out, a new 20-valent conjugate vaccine has appeared, and this significantly improves prevention capabilities.

The pulmonologist also noted that smoking increases the risk of developing pneumonia by almost 4 times, and the characteristic symptoms of the disease are shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing and "rusty" sputum, requiring immediate medical attention.

Earlier in the day, Rospotrebnadzor recalled that pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue, most often caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. The ministry stressed that the disease is most severe in the elderly and patients with chronic diseases, and timely vaccination and hygiene measures remain the most effective way to prevent it.

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