Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs. Germs — such as bacteria, virus and fungus — cause pneumonia. This illness occurs most often in the winter.

Pneumonia sometimes follows a cold and settles into the lungs. It can be cured with antibiotic medicine only if it is caused by bacteria.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• rapid breathing
• wheezing or grunting sound during breathing
• other breathing problems
• vomiting
• chest pain
• stomach pain
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• bluish gray color to lips and fingernails.

Sometimes a child may only have a fever and rapid breathing. If the pneumonia is in the lower part of the lungs, the child may only have a fever and stomach pain.

How your child may be treated

Treatments may include:

• antibiotics
• lots of small meals
• lots of rest
• lots of liquids
• deep breaths and coughing.

Be sure to watch how often your child urinates to see if he needs more liquids. Smaller children should go through one wet diaper every 6 hours.

Do not give your child aspirin. It could cause Reye's syndrome.

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider for an appointment if your child:

• has trouble breathing or breathes fast
• has a bluish or gray color to lips and fingernails
• refuses to drink adequate liquids
• has no energy
• has "flaring" or widening nostrils when breathing
• has ribs that sink in and out when breathing.