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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.
