Overview
- The Health Ministry’s chief pulmonologist, Sergey Avdeev, released the latest estimate on November 12 in statements carried by RIA Novosti and TASS during World Pneumonia Day.
- Clinicians identify pneumococcus as the dominant community pathogen, while hospitalized cases often involve gram‑negative bacteria with antibiotic resistance that dictates different drug choices.
- Doctors highlight cough with sputum as common, and flag shortness of breath, chest pain with breathing, and hemoptysis as concerning signs that warrant medical attention.
- Children under five, older adults, and people with chronic cardiopulmonary, endocrine, or immune conditions face more severe courses of illness, according to infectious-disease guidance.
- Prevention measures include vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection, and experts warn that smoking substantially raises the risk of developing pneumonia.