Explainer: What causes Pneumonia and how to prevent yourself from getting it

• Journalist Rita Tinina had severe Pneumonia before her untimely death. 

• Pneumonia can cause death in extreme cases.

Woman Coughing
Image: Pixabay

A post-mortem report has confirmed media personality Rita Tinina died from severe Pneumonia.

The autopsy was conducted by government Pathologist Peter Ndegwa on March 19, 2024, at the Umash Funeral Home.

“The pathologist has done the postmortem and concluded Rita died out of severe pneumonia,” he said.

A family spokesperson Timothy Njaga also confirmed the same stating that they are satisfied with the results.

Rita who was a senior reporter at Nation Media Group-owned station NTV passed away on Sunday, March 17th 2024 in her Kileleshwa house.

The big question is how easy or hard is it to contact Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs, causing inflammation and fluid build-up. It may cause problems with oxygen exchange.

According to American Lung Association Pneumonia causes more than a million hospitalizations and more than 50,000 deaths each year. 

Symptoms of pneumonia include

Fever, Wheezing, Cough, Chills, rapid breathing, chest pains, loss of appetite and malaise, or a general feeling of weakness or ill health.

Pneumonia can be very serious and can cause death.

Complications from pneumonia include respiratory failure, sepsis and lung abscess.

People with medical problems, weak immune system are at a higher risk of contracting Pneumonia.

It is also more likely to affect older adults and young children.

The flu is a common cause of pneumonia, so preventing the flu is a good way to reduce your risk of pneumonia.

In addition, those at risk can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia.

Causes of Pneumonia include : bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Understanding the cause of pneumonia is important because pneumonia treatment depends on its cause.

Washing your hands, following a healthy diet, getting adequate rest, regularly exercising and not smoking are all habits that can help you from getting sick from bacteria, viruses and other causes of respiratory illnesses.

Healthy habits help promote fast recovery when you do get sick.

The chances of getting pneumonia can be substantially reduced by taking flu shot every year to help prevent seasonal influenza.

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