Written by Editorial Team
According to data published by UNICEF, Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death among children under five, killing 2,500 children a day. Children spend the majority of the cold months indoors, in close contact with others. Therefore pneumonia in children is more likely to occur during the colder months.
Most of the victims of pneumonia are reported to be less than two years old. (Source). The good news, though, 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 an infection that occurs in one or both lungs. It often occurs due to the swelling of alveoli, the small air passages in the lungs. This condition occurs due to attack by germs such as 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 occur due to viruses. In older children and teenagers, most instances of pneumonia happen due to bacterial infections. Moreover, sometimes, a child could start out by 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 a cold. Sticky fluid (mucous) starts to accumulate in the lung’s air spaces, making it difficult for the lungs to work. This reduces the oxygen supply to the body. As a result, the child can develop difficulty in breathing.
All children can develop breathing problems. However, some of them are more susceptible to pneumonia. The list includes
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 symptoms varies according to the severity of the condition. The most common signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children include
If the doctor suspects pneumonia, they will order a chest x-ray for the child. The report may reveal how bad the pneumonia is. The doctor will also prescribe blood tests, mucous tests, and sputum tests to help diagnose the cause of pneumonia. Pulse oximetry determines the amount of oxygen in the blood of the child and helps in understanding the severity of pneumonia.
Pneumonia itself is not contagious. However, it is the causative viruses and bacteria that can turn the condition infectious and contagious. There is every possibility of your child contracting pneumonia from close contact with the infected person. In addition, spending more time in closed public places like air-conditioned room increases the chances of bacterial and viral infections, leading to pneumonia.
Following are a few steps to follow while treating pneumonia in children at home and hospital:
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 remember that your child may continue coughing till the sputum present in the lungs clears away. Do not worry about continued coughing from your child.
There are a few steps to prevent pneumonia in kids:
Here are a few home remedies that can help to ease the symptoms of pneumonia in kids:
Do you know of any more home remedies that can help in pneumonia,? Please do share in the comments section below.
Yes, it is. Children below the age of 5 are more prone to pneumonia. Since their immunity is low, they can get infected easily.
There is no permanent cure for this. Bacterial pneumonia can be cured by antibiotics. Viral pneumonia does get better with time.
Yes, they can. This is secondhand exposure. The risk is higher in children below 1 year of age.
No, they need not be. If diagnosed properly, they can be treated well. If not treated, it can become dangerous.
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