In recent years, many large cities in Indonesia have experienced a decline in air quality. Some scientific data states that conditions triggered by high levels of pollutants also have an impact on increasing cases of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI).[1] This risk is even exacerbated by extreme weather conditions due to climate change.
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, ISPA cases will increase by more than 100 thousand cases per month in DKI Jakarta in 2023[2]. Apart from that, respiratory diseases are also one of the 10 most common diseases in Indonesia, where air pollution is the fifth highest risk factor for death in Indonesia.[3] This indicates the importance of broader and sustainable preventive efforts in maintaining public health.
For this reason, the public is encouraged to educate themselves and their surrounding environment with knowledge about pneumonia and steps to prevent it. Here are some effective tips that you can do to prevent the spread of pneumonia attacks in the community:
Recognize early the causes and symptoms of pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by several factors such as viruses, smoke, pollution, chemicals, fungal infections histoplasma blastomyces, and coccidioides, as well as bacteria. This disease can attack adults and newborn babies. We need to understand a series of symptoms to take precautions and get proper medical help to avoid more serious complications.
The symptoms of pneumonia that you can pay attention to are as follows:
A cough that produces yellow, green, or bloody mucus
Fever and chills
Hard to breathe
Chest pain that may worsen when breathing deeply or coughing
Fatigue and weakness
Muscle pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting (especially in children)
Focus on implementing a healthy lifestyle
The unity of all family members is needed to ensure that a healthy lifestyle is carried out as well as possible in the home environment. The method is not difficult, it can start from maintaining personal hygiene and the surrounding environment, including ensuring good air circulation. Also make sure to always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating and after covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Apart from that, cigarette smoke is one of the most dangerous triggers for pneumonia because it contains chemicals that weaken the body’s immune system, making smokers more susceptible to bacterial or viral infections that disrupt the function of the respiratory tract [4]. Therefore, smokers are advised to reduce the amount of daily cigarette intake. Likewise for non-smokers, avoid exposure to cigarette smoke by keeping your distance or wearing a mask when doing activities outside the home.
Get vaccinated immediately to prevent pneumonia early on
Vaccination has been proven to be an effective way to prevent various diseases, including pneumonia. Pneumonia vaccination plays an important role in protecting lung health, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with vulnerable immune systems.
Vaccines provide strong protection against pneumonia by stimulating the immune system. Apart from that, vaccines also play a role in preventing infection or reducing the severity of disease due to exposure to pneumonia bacteria.
There are two types of pneumonia vaccines that are commonly used today, namely pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV or PPSV). The PCV vaccine is usually given to children under 2 years of age, although it does not rule out the possibility that it also applies to those aged 2 years and over and adults. Meanwhile, the PPV or PPSV vaccine is generally given to users over the age of 2 years.
Prudential Indonesia, as the leader of the insurance industry in Indonesia, offers a pneumonia vaccination program as an additional service (value added service) for all customers by collaborating with trusted health partners. Information regarding pneumonia vaccination services can be obtained at the following link
Pneumonia is a real threat. However, with awareness and the right actions, we can break the chain of spread of this disease. Each individual has an important role in efforts to prevent pneumonia. Starting from ourselves, we can be agents of change by adopting a healthy lifestyle, inviting the surrounding environment to care about lung health, and supporting the vaccination program. Don’t delay protecting yourself and your family, because health is the best investment for the future.
