CONDITIONS
Pneumonia
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that develops due to a virus or bacteria entering one or both lungs. Types of pneumonia are:
- Bronchopneumonia: Bronchopneumonia causes inflammation in the lung’s air sacs, also known as the alveoli. When inflamed, air sacs fill with fluid, making it challenging to transport oxygen to the lungs.
- Lobar pneumonia: Lobar pneumonia affects parts (lobes) of the lungs.
What are the symptoms?
The most common signs of pneumonia are:
- High fever
- Cough with phlegm
- Rapid breathing
- Lethargy in young children
- Stomach or chest pain
What does a diagnosis entail?
The paediatrician diagnoses pneumonia by listening to abnormal, fast breathing through the use of a statoscope. A chest x-ray confirms a diagnosis
How do you treat pneumonia?
Treating a mild form of pneumonia is performed as an outpatient procedure. More severe forms of pneumonia, which make it difficult to breathe, require immediate admission to the hospital. Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia, but viral pneumonia doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment.
Treatment for severe pneumonia includes:
- Oxygen therapy
- Paracetamol (Panado/Calpol)
- Ibuprofen (Nurofen/ Ibugesic/ Ponstan)
- Children are fed fluid intravenously to prevent dehydration.
- Nebuliser for wheezing
What is the result?
Pneumonia, when treated early enough, has a positive outcome with no complications. When left untreated, pneumonia can lead to meningitis, bloodstream infections and shock due to infection.
What does prevention for pneumonia entail?
A flu vaccine reduces the risk of bacterial pneumonia significantly. Good hygiene practices like washing hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub minimise your child’s risk of infection.
Takeaway
Pneumonia is a bacterial or viral lung infection. Symptoms of pneumonia are coughing with traces of phlegm, fever and laboured breathing. Early treatment for pneumonia through prescription antibiotics reduces the need for long-term care.
Disclaimer
This information is for educative purposes only and is meant to be read by parents after their child has seen their medical practitioner.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
Rapid breathing (over 50 breaths per minute)
Forced breathing –grunting noises
Blue lips, tongue and fingernails
Fatigue in children
Cannot feed properly
For these warning signs, seek urgent medical attention.
DO NOT DELAY CARE
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What is a paediatrician?
A paediatrician is a doctor who has specialised in medical care for children from birth to their teenage years. Paediatricians diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions in children, ranging from allergies, infections and injuries to behavioural and learning problems.