Kalaiselvi Selvaraj1, Palanivel Chinnakali2, Anindo Majumdar1, Iswarya Santhana Krishnan1
1 Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
2 Dept of Community medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, Puducherry, India
DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.127275
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ABSTRACT |
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the leading cause of death among children less than 5 years in India. Emergence of newer pathogenic organisms, reemergence of disease previously controlled, wide spread antibiotic resistance, and suboptimal immunization coverage even after many innovative efforts are major factors responsible for high incidence of ARI. Drastic reduction in the burden of ARI by low-cost interventions such as hand washing, breast feeding, availability of rapid and feasible array of diagnostics, and introduction of pentavalent vaccine under National Immunization Schedule which are ongoing are necessary for reduction of ARI.
Keywords: Acute respiratory infections, control of acute respiratory infection, disease burden, National Immunization Schedule, pneumonia, under-5 children, vaccine status
