Content
Pneumonia in children corresponds to an infection of the lung caused by bacteria or viruses that leads to the appearance of flu-like symptoms, but which worsen over the course of days, and can be difficult to identify.
Infantile pneumonia is curable and rarely contagious, and should be treated at home with rest, medicines for fever, antibiotics and fluid intake, such as water and milk, for example.
Pneumonia symptoms at the child
Symptoms of pneumonia in the child may arise a few days after contact with the infectious agent responsible for the infection, which may be noted:
- Fever above 38º;
- Cough with phlegm;
- Lack of appetite;
- Faster and shorter breathing, with opening of the nostrils;
- Effort to breathe with a lot of movement of the ribs;
- Easy tiredness, no desire to play.
It is important that the child is taken to the pediatrician as soon as the signs and symptoms indicative of pneumonia are verified, as it is possible that the treatment will start soon after the diagnosis and complications such as respiratory failure and cardiorespiratory arrest, for example, are prevented.
The diagnosis of pneumonia in children is made by the pediatrician by assessing the signs and symptoms presented by the child and the respiratory rate, in addition to performing chest X-rays to check the degree of lung involvement. In addition, the doctor may recommend performing microbiological tests to identify the infectious agent related to pneumonia.
Main causes
Pneumonia in children is caused in most cases by viruses and appears as a complication of the flu, and may be associated with adenovirus, human syncytial virus, parainfluenza and influenza type A, B or C, in these cases being called viral pneumonia.
In addition to virus infection, the child may also develop bacterial pneumonia, which is caused by bacteria, which is in most cases related to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.
Treatment of pneumonia in children
The treatment of pneumonia in children may vary according to the infectious agent responsible for pneumonia, and the use of antivirals or antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or Azithromycin, for example, according to the child's microorganism and weight, may be indicated.
In addition, some precautions in childhood pneumonia, which help treatment, include:
- Make nebulizations according to the doctor's instructions;
- Maintain a good diet with fruits;
- Offer sufficient milk and water;
- Maintain rest and avoid public spaces, such as a day care center or school;
- Dress the child according to the season;
- Avoid drafts during and after bathing.
Hospitalization is reserved for the most serious cases in which it is necessary to undergo physical therapy for childhood pneumonia, receive oxygen or have antibiotics in the vein. Understand what the treatment for pneumonia in children should be like.