Pneumonia in children: what are the symptoms to look out for?

Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumonia in children is the cause of 16 percent of under-five deaths in 2015. How dangerous is this disease that attacks the lung organs? The following is a complete explanation of pneumonia in children that you should know.

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Definition

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is one of the respiratory disorders in children.

This is a condition when a child's lungs get infected or inflamed.

This infection begins by disturbing the upper respiratory system (nose and throat) of the child.

Then, the infection will move to the lungs which then inhibits the movement of air in the lungs.

This condition will make it more difficult for the child to breathe.

This occurs when the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) fill with pus and other fluids. Therefore, it is difficult for oxygen to reach the bloodstream

Most pneumonia can be treated until it clears up in one to two weeks.

However, pneumonia caused by viruses generally requires a longer healing time.

However, the child's condition could be worse if pneumonia is accompanied by the presence of other diseases in the body.

How common is pneumonia in children?

As is well known that this disease is a condition when the lungs of the child have an infection.

Quoted from Cedars Sinai Medical Center, pneumonia generally occurs in infants and children under 5 years of age.

This condition can be classified as mild or serious. Starting from fever, cough in children, to difficulty breathing properly.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children?

Somewhat different from pneumonia in general, pneumonia in children in some cases is not accompanied by a rapid increase in breathing.

Especially, if the pneumonia attacks the lower lungs.

When pneumonia is in the lower part of the lungs close to the stomach, symptoms include fever, stomach pain, or vomiting.

However, there are no symptoms or signs such as problems with the child's breathing.

Symptoms of this disease in children may vary because it depends on what causes it.

If it is caused by bacteria that tend to occur suddenly, here are some symptoms of pneumonia in children:

• Fever
• Dry cough or phlegm followed by mucus
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Pain in the chest
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue which leads to decreased activity
• Loss of appetite
• In more severe cases, your child's lips and nails will turn blue

The initial symptoms of pneumonia caused by viruses are the same as those caused by bacteria. However, breathing problems occur slowly.

Your child will likely experience symptoms such as wheezing and cough that get worse. Here are some other symptoms or signs that may occur, such as:

• Sweating and chills
• Difficulty breathing or noticeably quicker breath
• Headache

Parents also need to pay attention if the symptoms of pneumonia look like other health problems.

Therefore, you need to immediately meet with a doctor so that it is quickly diagnosed.

When should a child be seen by a doctor?

Call the hospital or doctor immediately when the symptoms or signs of pneumonia in your child get worse, such as:

• High fever after two to three days
• Coupled with difficulty breathing
• Experiencing other symptoms such as swollen joints and stiff neck
• It can be difficult to consume the fluids you need to stay hydrated

Cause

What causes pneumonia in children?

Quoted from IDAI, there are various causes of pneumonia in children, such as viruses, bacteria, and also fungi.

However, most cases of pneumonia are generally caused by a viral infection of the lungs.

Viruses that cause pneumonia are numerous, such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza virus.

While the bacteria that are common causes of pneumonia are pneumococci (Streptococcus pneumonia), HiB (Haemophilus influenza type b), and staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus).

What puts a child at risk for pneumonia?

There are several risk factors that make children more prone to developing pneumonia, such as:

• A weak child's immune system
• Chronic health problems such as asthma in children or cystic fibrosis
• Problems with the lungs and breathing

It should also be noted that children under one year of age who have become passive smokers are also more susceptible to developing pneumonia.

Complications

What complications may occur due to pneumonia in children?

In certain conditions, pneumonia can also be a life-threatening disease.

This may occur when the child has certain diseases, such as:

• Severe breathing problems
• The presence of bacteria that enter the blood

Diagnosis

How is this disease diagnosed?

The doctor will make a diagnosis of pneumonia in a child if he has done a thorough examination. Including by looking at a complete medical history.

The following are some of the physical examinations performed, such as:

• See how the child's breathing patterns
• Listen for abnormal sounds from the lungs
• Look at the condition of phlegm or mucus
• Perform an oximetry test to determine the level of oxygen in the blood
• Do an X-Ray or CT scan of the chest
• Have a blood test to see if there are signs of infection
• Bronchoscopy, looking inside the airways of the lungs (rarely done)

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat pneumonia in children?

As is well known that pneumonia in children can be caused by viruses and bacteria.

If it is caused by a virus, this disease does not require treatment such as antibiotics.

While antibiotics are needed to treat pneumonia in children. However, the type of drug used also depends on the type of bacteria.

In general, this disease will subside on its own. Here are other medications and treatments to relieve symptoms, such as:

• Get plenty of sleep and rest
• Get more fluid intake than usual
• Give paracetamol to reduce heat in children
• Provide cough medicine that has been prescribed by a doctor

The thing to remember is to consult the doctor first before giving any medicine to a child.

Check the child's temperature every morning, afternoon, and night. Tell your doctor right away if your body temperature reaches 38 degrees or more.

Then, also check the area of ​​your child's lips and nails. If the color is bluish or gray, this is a sign that the child is not getting enough oxygen.

In certain conditions, there is a possibility that the child will need to be hospitalized, such as experiencing severe breathing problems.

Prevention

How to prevent pneumonia in children?

One of the things that are quite important and need to be done by parents to prevent pneumonia in children is to give vaccines.

Doctors recommend that children take a series of vaccines to prevent pneumonia from the age of 2 months.

Then, make sure you also keep informed about what vaccines your child needs, including the flu vaccine.

Moreover, pneumonia in children can also occur when children experience complications of other diseases such as asthma, whooping cough, and flu.

Although pneumonia is not a contagious disease, viruses and bacteria can spread through saliva, sneezing and coughing.

Here are some other precautions you can take, such as:

• Teach children to cover their mouth and nose whenever someone coughs or sneezes near them
• Wash your hands with soap, to prevent the spread of any bacteria or viruses.

Several other conditions can also increase your child's chances of developing pneumonia.

These conditions are like living in an area with high levels of pollution and being in a family environment with active smokers.

If you have questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your child's problem.