Pneumonia

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes coughing, fever, and trouble breathing. It is a serious illness, especially in young children. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria or viruses. The most likely cause of pneumonia depends on the child’s age:

  1. In babies and children younger than 5 years, pneumonia is more likely to be caused by a virus
  2. In children older than 5 years, pneumonia is more likely to be caused by bacteria

 

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Common symptoms include:

  1. Cough
  2. Fever
  3. Breathing faster than normal
  4. Trouble breathing (“retractions”) or pain when breathing in
  5.  Restlessness or trouble feeding (in babies)

Not all children with pneumonia have the same symptoms. But if your child seems sick and has both a cough and a fever, they might have pneumonia.

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatment depends on the child’s age, how serious the pneumonia is, and whether it is caused by bacteria or a virus. Some children who are very sick, especially young children or babies, might need to be treated in the hospital.

Pneumonia that is caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria. They are available in pill or liquid form. Make sure that your child takes all of their antibiotics, even if they start feeling better before finishing them.

Antibiotics do not help with pneumonia that is caused by a virus. But your child’s doctor or nurse might try other medicines if they think they will help.

 

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