Our site uses cookies to make your experience on this site even better. We hope you think that is sweet.
According to data published by UNICEF, Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death among children under five, killing 2,500 children a day. Pneumonia accounted for 15 percent of all under-five deaths and killed 920,000 children in 2015. Most of its victims were less than two years old. (Source). In spite of this, the good news is that most children make a complete recovery from pneumonia if diagnosed and treated on time. Continue reading to understand the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of pneumonia in children.
Pneumonia is nothing but infection in one or both lungs that include swelling of alveoli, the small air passages in the lungs. It is caused by germs like bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi, etc. Pneumonia is innocuous when mild, but can be life-threatening as the severity increases. Among the kids aged three and younger, most cases of pneumonia are triggered by viruses. While in older children and teenagers, most instances of pneumonia are caused by bacterial infections. Moreover, sometimes, a child could start out with having viral pneumonia, which then turns into bacterial pneumonia, and this can complicate the situation.
Often, pneumonia starts after your child suffers from an upper respiratory tract infection like cold. Sticky fluid (mucous) starts to accumulate in the lung’s air spaces, thereby making it difficult for the lungs to work and reducing the amount of oxygen that is supplied into the body. As a result, the child can develop difficulty in breathing.
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia depend on the age and cause of pneumonia in children. Signs of bacterial pneumonia appear faster (over a day) than viral pneumonia (gradual development over days). In addition, the intensity of the symp toms varies according to severity. The most common signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children are:
If the doctor suspects pneumonia, he will order a chest x-ray for the child. It will reveal how bad the pneumonia is. Blood tests, mucous tests, and sputum tests are also performed to diagnose the cause of pneumonia. Pulse oximetry determines the amount of oxygen in the blood of the child and understands the severity of pneumonia.
It is not pneumonia that is contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that are the culprit in causing the infection. So looking at this, we can say children get pneumonia by close contact with the infected person. Spending more time in closed public places like air-conditioned room increases the chances of the child getting infected with these viruses or bacteria, which can lead to pneumonia.
With proper treatment and care, your child can recover from most kinds of bacterial pneumonia within a few weeks. Viral pneumonia, on the other hand, may take a little longer. But note that your child may continue coughing till the sputum present in the lungs is cleared. But there is nothing to worry about as this is also a part of the recovery process.
There a few steps that could be taken to prevent pneumonia in kids:
Here are a few home remedies that can help to ease the symptoms of pneumonia in kids:
If there are more home remedies that can help in pneumonia, please do share in the comments section below.
Come on, sell the idea of signing up with us in two lines so well that they HAVE to sign up.
10 Healthy Baby Food and Toddler Food Ideas While Travelling
10 Ways To Treat Cough And Cold In Babies And Kids With Ginger
Benefits Of Including Almonds In Your Child's Diet
8 Tips To Wean Your Child Off Sucking His Thumb
15 Healthy Baby Food Ideas When Leaving Your Baby In Daycare
Get regular updates, great recommendations and other right stuff at the right time.