An Educated Mother is the First Defense Against Deadly Pneumonia

Last month, Mrs. Maria Raimundo Cruz asked me to come to her house to check on her baby girl, 6-month-old Juana, who seemed to be sick. Maria was very worried, and when I saw Juana, I could see why. Juana had a serious case of pneumonia and needed treatment urgently. I gave Maria antibiotics and explained to her to how much medicine she needed to give her daughter each day, and how often. Pneumonia can be deadly if it's not treated correctly, so I always go over the instructions with the moms very carefully. I make them repeat everything back to me so that I am sure they understand. Maria listened carefully and gave the medicine to Juana exactly as I told her to do, so her baby recovered very fast. 

The last time I visited Juana, she was doing very well.  Maria told me how relieved she is now to see her daughter healthy and happy again. I took the opportunity to explain to Maria again how to spot the danger signs of pneumonia. I explained how a child's simple cold can quickly evolve into pneumonia if it's not treated properly. I reminded Maria that she should always come to me for help as soon as the symptoms start, because her child will be in danger soon if not treated. It is very easy to treat this disease at an early stage, but if we let it get to a serious stage, then the child has to go to the hospital. And it's not easy to get to the hospital from here.