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
- chest pain
- stomach pain
- fatigue
- 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 his lips
- refuses to drink adequate 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 Department, Guide for the Care of Children: Ages Birth to 5 Years Old, fifth edition. To avoid awkward sentences, instead of referring to your child as "he/she" or "him/her," this guide will alternate between "he" or "she" and "him" or "her."
First Published: 02/01/2010
Last Reviewed: 01/01/2016