About this topic
Pneumonia is an infection in your childs lungs. It can make your child have a fever, cough with more mucus, have trouble breathing, feel weak, and have chest pain. Pneumonia can be bad enough to make your child need a breathing machine. In some cases, it can even cause death. ‚
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What are the causes?
Pneumonia is most often caused by germs such as bacteria and viruses. It may also be caused when a foreign matter like the stomach contents is sucked into the lungs. This is called aspiration pneumonia. ‚
What are the main signs?
Fever and cough are two signs most often seen in children. Other signs include: ‚
- Fast breathing
- Chills
- Sweating and flushed skin
- Less hungry
- Lack of energy
- Muscles below and between the ribs and above the collarbone work harder to let your child breathe
- Nostrils get wider during breathing
- Chest pain, mostly with coughing or deep breathing
- Wheezing
- Bluish tint to the lips or nails, caused by lack of oxygen in the bloodstream
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your childs history and signs. Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Chest x-ray
- Measure how much oxygen is in the blood. This is called pulse oximetry.
- Sputum culture to look at mucus coughed up from the lungs
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Most children with pneumonia can be treated at home, but some may need to be in the hospital. Reasons for a hospital stay include: ‚
- Child younger than 3 months old
- Low level of oxygen in the blood
- Not able to eat or drink well
- Trouble breathing
- Other illnesses such as heart disease and asthma
- Not getting better with care at home
Treatment at home depends on the type of pneumonia. Lots of rest and lots of liquids are two things the doctor will order. The doctor may have your child take drugs for fever and pain. It will be important for your child to stay away from tobacco smoke. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Loosen mucus
- Lower fever
- Control coughing
- Help with swelling in the airways and lungs
Your child may be given other drugs. These may include inhalers and steroids. The doctor will give specific instructions about the drugs your child may need to take. ‚
Do not give aspirin to your child unless ordered by the doctor. ‚
What problems could happen?
- More trouble breathing
- Fluid collecting in the lungs
- Weakening of the lungs
- Spreading of infection to the bloodstream and other parts of the body
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Teach your child to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. Teach your child to sing the Happy Birthday song or the ABCs while washing hands.
- If your child is sick, have your child cover the mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Your child can also cough into the elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick. Clean commonly handled things like door handles, remotes, toys, and phones. Wipe them with a disinfectant.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Give your child a healthy diet to eat. If your child does not get enough vitamin C or zinc in the diet, ask the doctor if your child should take these supplements.
- Do not let anyone smoke around your baby or child.
- Make sure your child gets a flu shot each year. Ask the doctor if your child needs a pneumonia shot.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/pneumonia.html ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/pneumonia-pneumonie/index_e.php ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pnu/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚