The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas celebration in the world—starting in September all the way until February. Beyond getting a head-start on playing Christmas carols and putting up holiday decorations, Filipinos also think in advance for the best gifts they can give to their family, friends, and even themselves.
This year, with the ongoing pandemic making them more health-conscious, they might be thinking about taking a different approach to gifting, too. Maybe the best present out there is protection against pneumonia, just in time for the holidays.
But why pneumonia? Pneumonia is the third most common cause of death in the country, mostly affecting older adults, children, and persons with chronic diseases. It is an infection of one or both lungs and usually caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other microbes. Pneumonia can spread in a number of ways, including inhalation of very small particles (airborne droplets) coming from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.
According to the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of pneumonia may vary based on the patient’s age and general state of health and can range from mild to deadly. Here are some of the symptoms of pneumonia:
● Coughing that may produce phlegm
● Fever
● Sweating or chills
● Shortness of breath while doing normal activities or even while resting
● Chest pain that’s worse when you breathe or cough
● Fatigue
● Loss of appetite
● Nausea or vomiting
● Headaches
Depending on the type and severity of pneumonia, the patient’s age and overall health, treatment and care can be provided at home or in the hospital. Even better, it is potentially preventable through vaccination. There are vaccines for pneumonia which help protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of bacterial pneumonia. It is recommended for adults especially those who are 50 years old and above.
Today marks the launch of Pfizer’s Pro-Vaccination movement. The campaign aims to give Filipinos the right information about vaccination to overcome vaccine hesitancy. The prevention of a future outbreak may depend on the decisions that we make today7.
Vaccines save lives. Join the #provaccinationmovement by getting informed and spreading awareness. Consult your doctor for more information on pneumonia and vaccines.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/PfizerVaccinesPH and facebook.com/Pfizer.
