Reye's syndrome

Reye's syndrome is a life-threatening condition that damages the cells in your child's organs, especially the liver and brain. Giving your child aspirin increases the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Learn more about Reye's syndrome in our health library.

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.