Pneumonia

Pneumonia

Call 911 or take your child to an Emergency Department if your child’s lips turn bluish gray.

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs. Germs — such as bacteria, virus and fungus — cause pneumonia. It can be cured with antibiotic medicine only if it is caused by bacteria.

Symptoms may include:

  • fever
  • chills
  • cough
  • rapid breathing
  • wheezing or grunting sound during breathing
  • other breathing problems
  • vomiting (throwing up)
  • chest pain
  • stomach pain
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • loss of appetite
  • bluish gray color to lips

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your child:

  • has trouble breathing or breathes fast
  • has a bluish or gray color to their lips
  • refuses to drink enough liquids
  • has a fever that lasts longer than three days
  • has no energy
  • has "flaring" or widening nostrils when breathing
  • has ribs that sink in and out when breathing

Source: Allina Health's Patient Education, Guide for the Care of Children: Ages Birth to 5, sixth edition, ped-ah-91554
First Published: 02/01/2010
Last Reviewed: 11/16/2022