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Childhood Illnesses... Pneumonia |
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Anonymous Author (February 2007) |
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What is it?
Pneumonia is a infection in the lungs which can becaused by viruses, bacteria, fu ngi and parasites. If often starts off as a infection in the nose and throat.
What are the symptoms?
This varies depending on the cause and the
age of the baby or child. Some common ones are temperature, cough, chest pains, fatigue, grunting and wheezing, rapid breathing, loss of appetite or not breast or bottle feeding. If its really bad they have lack of oxygen causing bluish tinges to the lips and nails. If the pneumonia is in the lower part of the lungs near the abdomen, there may be no breathing problems at all, but there may be fever and abdominal pain or vomiting.
What is the treatment?
Incubation. Antibiotics. After the doctor has diagnosed pneumonia through blood tests, xrays and sometimes mucas swabs. If its not too bad you can treat them at home. If they are struggling and in distress they will normally be kept in hospital. They may also be hospitalized if oxygen is needed, if the infection has spread into the blood, if they are vomiting so much they cant keep medication down or if they are ill in other ways and have a low immune system.
Is it contagious?
The bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia are contagious and usually through coughing and sneezing and sharing things that have been in their mouth. Pneumonia itself cant be caught but may develop.
