World Pneumonia Day: How Air Pollution Makes Pneumonia Symptoms And Recovery Worse

World Pneumonia Day is observed every year on November 12. The day aims to raise awareness about pneumonia, its prevention and treatment. Pneumonia is a condition wherein your lungs get infected by bacteria, viruses or fungi, causing your lung tissue to swell. This can lead to fluid or pus build-up in your lungs. Cleveland Clinic says, bacterial pneumonia can be more severe than viral pneumonia. The condition can either affect one or both lungs.

Pneumonia affects your lungs significantly, and the air pollution can make the condition worse. The rising AQI levels in the capital can make things difficult for people with pneumonia. Speaking to NDTV, Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director and Unit Head, Pulmonology at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, "Air pollution significantly worsens both the risk and outcomes of pneumonia. Polluted air contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and toxic gases that damage the airway lining, weaken local lung defenses, and make it easier for bacteria and viruses to cause infection."

Impact of air pollution on pneumonia symptoms

Here are some of the ways air pollution worsens pneumonia symptoms.

Air pollution worsens lung inflammation and tissue damage

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gases like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can damage the respiratory epithelial cells and interfere with lung function, which are critical for lung defense. This damage leads to inflammation and tissue damage in the lungs, aggravating pneumonia symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing.

Dr Jha said, "In people who already have pneumonia, exposure to high pollution levels can aggravate cough, breathlessness, and chest congestion. The inflamed lungs struggle even more when exposed to irritants in polluted air, often leading to slower recovery and a higher chance of complications."

Air pollution exacerbates respiratory symptoms

Air pollutants tend to irritate the airways, causing coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, which overlap with pneumonia symptoms. This can make monitoring and treatment of the condition difficult. Also, irritation of the airways can worsen pneumonia's symptoms.

Long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution

Acute exposure aggravates immediate symptoms, while chronic exposure increases the risk of repeated lung infections and reduced lung function. Both increase the risk of severe pneumonia episodes and complications.

Pollutants increase susceptibility to respiratory infections

Harmful pollutants reduce key lung defense substances and slow down the lungs' natural cleaning system, which clears out germs and dust. This makes it easier for infections like pneumonia to develop and last longer.

Exposure increases symptom severity

Children under 5 years and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions experience severe pneumonia symptoms when exposed to polluted air. Higher pollutant levels can make symptoms worse, causing more breathing difficulties and health risks.

Impact of air pollution on pneumonia recovery

Here are some of the ways air pollution worsens pneumonia recovery.

1. Air pollution worsens pneumonia severity and slows recovery. PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide exposure cause inflammation and damage to lung epithelial cells, which impairs the lungs' ability to heal properly after pneumonia infection. This leads to prolonged symptoms and delayed recovery.
2. Pollutants affect lung defense mechanisms. Air pollution reduces the effectiveness of respiratory cilia which clear mucous and pathogens from the lungs. It also weakens the epithelial barrier, allowing pathogens to enter easily and increasing the risk of severe infection and complications during pneumonia recovery.
3. Long-term exposure to polluted air may increase pneumonia recurrence risk. Chronic exposure to pollutants reduces the regenerative capacity of the lungs, making people more vulnerable to repeated infections and slower full recovery from pneumonia episodes.

Sharing some precautionary measures, Dr. Jha said, "For patients recovering from pneumonia, staying indoors during peak pollution hours, using air purifiers, and wearing an N95 mask outdoors are strongly advised. Clean air is as important as medication for full recovery."

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information