Understanding Malaysia’s No. 1 killer

PETALING JAYA: Pneumonia surpassed heart disease to become Malaysia’s leading cause of death in 2023, claiming 18,181 lives and prompting urgent calls for enhanced respiratory health measures and vaccination efforts.

According to the Statistics Department, the number of pneumonia-related deaths has gradually increased from 9,250 in 2014 to 18,181 last year.

Pneumonia became the principal cause of death for the first time in two decades, during which time heart disease was the No. 1 killer except in 2021, when Covid-19 was the leading cause of death.

Pneumonia is contracted through bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

If left untreated, it can lead to a serious lung infection that can be fatal.

Bacterial and viral pneumonia are contagious and usually spread by coughing, sneezing, or even breathing, while pneumonia caused by fungi is not contagious.

It can affect anyone at any age, although those above 65 and children with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.

Symptoms of pneumonia include productive cough, high fever, loss of appetite, confused mental state, low energy, extreme tiredness, and rapid breathing or wheezing.

Those showing symptoms such as persistent coughing for more than three weeks or blood being coughed up, having pale, blue or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, and difficulty in breathing, including suddenly feeling confused or delirious, should seek urgent medical attention.

Patients suffering from pneumonia are treated with antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, while most virus infections do not have specific treatment.

Hospitalisation is required if the condition is serious.

Several pneumococcal vaccines are currently available to help prevent or protect against pneumonia.

They are recommended for babies, those over 65, and those at high risk of pneumococcal infection.

The flu vaccine is also recommended during pregnancy and for those above 65 with a high risk of pneumococcal infections.

The respiratory syncytial virus vaccine is recommended for adults above 75 and mothers in their seventh month of pregnancy to protect their babies after delivery.