Is the pneumonia vaccine self-funded?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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The pneumonia vaccine is primarily aimed at preventing pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most significant and common bacterium causing pneumonia worldwide. This bacterium is also the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children and is the main pathogen causing otitis media, meningitis, and bacteremia in children. Currently, there are two types of pneumonia vaccines available in China: the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, which is suitable for people over two years old, and the 7-valent vaccine, which is suitable for infants under two years old. According to the regulations on vaccine distribution and vaccination management implemented in our country, vaccines are clearly divided into two categories: the first category includes vaccines provided free by the government to citizens, who are required to be vaccinated according to government regulations; the second category includes other vaccines that are paid for and voluntarily received by citizens. The pneumonia vaccine belongs to the second category, which is a self-funded vaccine.

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Is bronchopneumonia the same as pneumonia?

Some patients might ask if bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia. Undoubtedly, bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia, categorized anatomically. It can be classified into lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia. During X-ray imaging, bronchopneumonia typically shows as irregular patchy shadows distributed along the lung markings, with soft and blurry edges, without signs of consolidation. It often occurs in the lower lobes of both lungs. The treatment principles for bronchopneumonia are similar to those for common pneumonia, mainly involving the use of antibiotics, cough suppressants and expectorants, fever reduction, and other symptomatic treatments.

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What can you eat with pneumonia?

What can pneumonia patients eat? Pneumonia is usually an acute illness, often accompanied by symptoms such as excessive phlegm, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, which demand strict dietary considerations. A good diet ensures that pneumonia patients get enough fluids and calories, which helps in the treatment of pneumonia. Patients can consume foods rich in quality protein, high calories, and vitamins, such as eggs, animal liver, cornmeal, buckwheat flour, and a moderate amount of fruits and vegetables. Foods like black fungus, seaweed, kelp, and mushrooms can also be included more frequently. It is important for patients to drink plenty of water. Pneumonia patients may experience fever and sweat a lot; drinking more water can help replenish fluids in a timely manner, prevent excessive loss of fluids, and more frequent urination helps in faster elimination of metabolic waste from the body, aiding in the recovery from the disease.

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Pediatric pneumonia nursing measures

The nursing measures for children's pneumonia include ensuring indoor air circulation, maintaining a temperature between 18 to 24 degrees Celsius, and keeping humidity at 60%. Nutritionally rich diets should be provided. For severely ill children who have difficulty eating, parenteral nutrition can be given. Nursing care should include regular changes in position to reduce lung congestion, frequent back patting to help absorb inflammation and expel phlegm, isolation to prevent cross-infection, and attention to the replenishment and correction of water and electrolytes. Electrolyte imbalance should be addressed, and proper fluid supplementation can also help in opening the airways, but it is important to ensure that the infusion rate is not too fast as it may increase the burden on the heart.

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What department should I go to for pneumonia?

Pneumonia, as the name suggests, is inflammation of the lungs and belongs to the category of respiratory diseases. Therefore, the primary department to consult is Respiratory Medicine. In places where there is no Respiratory Medicine department, such as community health service centers or township health clinics, patients would have to consult the general internal medicine department instead. Of course, if the symptoms of pneumonia are severe and the condition is critical, and it happens outside of regular outpatient hours, then the patient must be seen by the emergency medicine department. The emergency medicine department will manage and triage pneumonia patients, and then decide their next steps, such as whether to transfer them to the ICU, a regular Respiratory Medicine department, or keep them for observation in the emergency department.

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How to completely cure pneumonia in children?

Childhood pneumonia is mainly due to the weaker resistance of children, who are then subjected to the invasion of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or other agents like chlamydia and mycoplasma, leading to inflammation of the alveoli. Generally, the treatment of pneumonia is mainly targeted at its pathogens. For instance, antiviral treatment is administered for viral infections, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatments are required for bacterial infections, and specific antibiotics such as azithromycin or erythromycin are used for mycoplasma infections. For other types like tuberculosis and some other fungal pneumonias, specific treatments targeting those pathogens are also necessary. If the baby clearly has symptoms like wheezing or difficulty in breathing, symptomatic treatment is required. Therefore, pneumonia in children is mainly treated based on the cause, and as long as the course of treatment is sufficient, it can be cured completely. However, even after recovery, it does not mean a child will never contract pneumonia again. If the child has weak immunity or is in a high-risk environment with exposure to other patients with pneumonia cough, they might be infected again.