Pneumonia Awareness Week (July 2 – 8, 2012)

This year’s theme for Pneumonia Awareness Week is Preventing Pneumococcal Pneumonia.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is an often fatal lung infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other single bacteria.

This week, experts and patients are joining forces to heighten community awareness of this serious infection.

Take the first step to protect your lungs. Bust five common myths about pneumococcal pneumonia – watch the online fact file below!

For more information contact the Australian Lung Foundation www.lungfoundation.com.au

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Pneumococcal disease; 2012. WHO. Available online.

2. Forrest JM, McIntyre PB, Burgess MA. Pneumococcal disease in Australia. Commun Dis Intell 2000;24-89-92

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1 Comment

  1. Scoti Albrecht on July 3, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    It is great that you are helping people learn about the dangers of pneumonia and the opportunity to vaccinate. Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, died, sadly in his early 50s of streptococcus pneumonia, less than 24 hours after he was admitted to the hospital.

    Two articles on Jim and the bacterial infection that caused pneumonia then organ failure:

    http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/17/obituaries/jim-henson-puppeteer-dies-the-muppets-creator-was-53.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

    http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/29/science/the-doctor-s-world-henson-death-shows-danger-of-pneumonia.html