Pneumonia in kids

Pneumonia in Children • • Aftercare • • • • • • • Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Viruses are usually the cause of pneumonia in children. Children with viral pneumonia can also develop bacterial pneumonia. Often, pneumonia begins after an infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). This causes fluid to collect in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Pneumonia can also develop if something such as food or stomach acid is inhaled into the lungs. DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS: Return to the emergency department if: • Your child is younger than 3 months and has a fever. • Your child is struggling to breathe or is wheezing. • Your child's lips or nails are bluish or gray. • Your child's skin between the ribs and around the neck pulls in with each breath. • Your child has any of the following signs of dehydration: • Crying without tears • Dizziness • Dry mouth or cracked lip • More irritable or fussy than normal • Sleepier than usual • Urinating less than usual or not at all • Sunken soft spot on the top of the head if your child is younger than 1 year Call your child's doctor if: • Your child has a fever of 102°F (38.9°C), or above 100.4°F (38°C) if your child is younger than 6 months. • Your child cannot stop coughing. • Your child is vomiting. • You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care. Medicines: Your child may need any of the following: • Antibiotics may b...

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes air sacs in your child’s lungs to fill with fluid or pus. The infection can be caused by a virus, bacteria or a fungus. Children are more likely than adults to develop pneumonia because their airways are smaller and their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Remarkable Care for Kids • Continuum of care: • Preventive vaccinations: Pediatricians at Rush offer routine vaccinations that can help prevent pneumonia in children. • A kid-friendly inpatient experience: If your child needs to be hospitalized for pneumonia, • Family-centered care: The heart of Rush University Children’s Hospital is family-centered care, which means you will be involved in every care decision for your child. We believe children’s families are integral members of the care team. What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is often caused by an infection in your child’s nose or throat that moves to the lungs. Fluid then begins to gather in your child’s lungs, making it harder for the lungs to work properly. Pneumonia tends to be more serious in children under the age of 5. The following children are at increased risk for pneumonia: • Children with weakened immune systems • Children with • Children who have not received vaccinations • Children exposed to secondhand smoke Pneumonia symptoms in children Pneumonia symptoms usually begin like a cold with a runny nose and coughing. Symptoms then get worse and may include a high fever, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. C...

What is pediatric pneumonia? Pneumonia is an inflammation in one or both of the lungs that is almost always caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms of pediatric pneumonia depend on the cause of the infection and several other factors, including the age and general health of the child. Rapid breathing, a high temperature and coughing are three of the most common signs of the condition. Pneumonia in newborns and very young children is more likely to be caused by a viral, rather than a bacterial infection. Diagnosis is generally based on a physical exam and several other tests, which may include The prognosis for pediatric pneumonia is generally good. A bacterial infection can often be treated with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. Viral pneumonia usually resolves on its own without the need for medication. Vaccination against bacterial infection is the best way of preventing the spread of pediatric pneumonia. Symptoms Symptoms of pediatric pneumonia depend on a number of factors, particularly the age of the affected child, and whether the cause of the infection is bacterial or viral. Symptoms in newborns Newborns and babies under a month old are the only age group that rarely cough as a direct consequence of pneumonia. The most common symptoms are irritability and not feeding properly. A child of this age may also display: • Abnormally fast breathing • Shortness of breath • Grunting sounds Symptoms in babies over a month old Once a baby is over a month old, then t...

One of the best ways to prevent bacterial pneumonia is vaccination. There are currently four vaccines available in the United States (PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, and PPSV23) that help protect against a number of bacteria that cause pneumonia and other PCV13 (Prevnar 13) is recommended for: • Children younger than 2 years old • Children ages 2 to 18 years with certain medical conditions PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) or PCV20 (Prevnar 20) is recommended for: • Adults 65 years or older • Adults ages 19 to 64 years with certain risk factors or medical conditions PPSV23 (Pneumovax23) is recommended for: • Children ages 2 to 18 years with certain medical conditions • Adults 19 years and older who get the PCV15 vaccine or who previously got PCV13 Types of Antibiotics for Pneumonia There are multiple types of antibiotics that work in slightly different ways. Some are more commonly used to treat pneumonia than others based on things like: • Healthy adults under 65 years with pneumonia are typically treated with a combination of amoxicillin plus a macrolide like Zithromax (azithromycin) or sometimes a tetracycline like Vibramycin (doxycycline). • Adults with other illnesses or who are smokers will usually be prescribed • Adults who can't take penicillin may be prescribed • Adults who can't take Augmentin because of the beta-lactam will likely be prescribed an inhaled • Hospitalized adults who are not likely to have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Pseudomonas are treated with ei...

Many people associate pneumonia with the elderly, but it is actually the biggest infectious killer of children worldwide. Every year, it claims the lives of more than 700,000 children under the age of 5, including over 153,000 newborns, who are particularly vulnerable to infection. Every day, at least one child dies every 45 seconds from pneumonia. Almost all of these deaths are preventable. It is inexcusable that thousands of children are unable to access the essential health services and treatments, which can prevent pneumonia and save their lives. What causes pneumonia? Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of the lungs. It doesn’t have one single cause – it can develop from either bacteria, viruses or fungi in the air. When a child is infected, their lungs are filled with fluid and it becomes difficult to breathe. Children whose immune systems are immature (i.e. newborns) or weakened – such as by undernourishment, or diseases like HIV – are more vulnerable to pneumonia. What are the symptoms of pneumonia? As pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, the most common symptoms are coughing, trouble breathing and fever. Children with pneumonia usually experience fast breathing, or their lower chest may draw in or retract when they inhale (in a healthy person, the chest expands during inhalation). Is pneumonia contagious? Pneumonia is contagious and can be spread through airborne particles (a cough or sneeze). It can also be spread through other fluids, like blood durin...

Pneumonia itself is not an infection your child can “catch.” Pneumonia describes the inflammation happening in the lungs. When your child comes in contact with someone who has pneumonia, they are being exposed to the virus or bacterium that led to pneumonia, but they will not not necessarily develop it themselves. Risk Factors Certain underlying conditions can put your child at higher risk of experiencing pneumonia. Chronic diseases that affect the lungs like Call your healthcare provider right away if your child develops signs of labored breathing such as rapid, shallow breaths, nostrils flaring, or chest muscles pulling in. Call your practitioner if your child becomes very lethargic or weak, as well as if you suspect they are becoming dehydrated. If your child’s lips or nails appear blue, this means that they are not able to adequately oxygenate their bodies. Seek emergency care immediately if they develop a blue tint or high fever. Diagnosis Your healthcare provider will likely check your child’s Walking pneumonia refers to a mild case of pneumonia that does not keep a child in bed. The symptoms often resemble a cold and are usually mild enough that they do not slow your child down. Walking pneumonia is usually diagnosed with a history and physical exam, and does not require a chest X-ray unless your child’s symptoms worsen. Treatment Treatment for pneumonia in kids depends on a variety of factors. Your healthcare provider will consider your child’s age, overall health,...

Causes of Pneumonia in Children Children are vulnerable to developing pneumonia from viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Pneumonia often develops as a complication of another disease like the Children younger than 1-year-old have an increased risk of pneumonia if they are exposed to • Compromised immune system • Chronic health issues like cystic fibrosis, • Lung or airway problems Signs of Pneumonia in Children Pneumonia typically spreads from person to person. Peak viral season is during fall, winter, and early spring because children spend more time indoors in cooler or cold weather and they may be more exposed to the illness. The clothes your child wears or the temperature outside do not stop them from getting pneumonia. The symptoms of pneumonia can vary from child to child. Your child’s symptoms and their severity can depend on whether bacteria or a virus caused the illness. Children infected by bacteria typically present symptoms like: • Fever • Cough with mucus • Painful cough • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Lack of appetite • Unusual tiredness It’s often hard to tell whether bacteria or a virus causes your child’s pneumonia. If the cause is a virus, then breathing problems may come on more slowly. Your child may start wheezing and develop a worsening cough. Symptoms that often show up with viral pneumonia include: • Rapid or harsh breathing • Headache • Chills • General fussiness Some parents mistake the initial signs of pneumonia as a cold or other illness. If yo...