Pneumonia in Children
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Pneumonia
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumonia accounts for 15% of all deaths in children under the age of five. Likewise, this organization defines the disease as an acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs, which are made up of small sacs called alveoli. In this sense, when an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli get filled with pus, and it makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.
Pneumonia is associated with many bacteria or viruses that can be spread by direct contact with an infected person. The most common bacteria and viruses that may cause pneumonia are: Influenza virus COVID-19 Virus Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria Group B streptococcus Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (This bacteria is common among children under five years of age) Mycoplasma pneumonia. Adenovirus And pneumonia caused by fungi.On the other hand, bacteria as Pneumocystis jiroveci are responsible for at least one-quarter of all pneumonia deaths in HIV-infected children.
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Symptoms of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, and its most common symptoms are coughing, trouble breathing, and fever. Indeed, pneumonia hinders children’s breathing, and their ribs or skin under the neck may be visible when they try to inhale. Also, younger babies tend to bob their heads when they are experiencing difficulty breathing.
Treatment
When it comes to bacterial pneumonia, pediatricians prescribe antibiotics and, in mild cases, the patient can take the treatment orally at home. Also, bacterial pneumonia may improve within 48 hours of starting antibiotics.
Although viral pneumonia is usually not as severe as bacterial pneumonia, recovery can be slower because antibiotics do not cure viruses. However, people have a higher chance of getting viral pneumonia if they are 65 or older and have chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Also, viral pneumonia can attack HIV positive patients and organ transplanted patients.
Diagnosis
Your professional on Pineville pediatrics or Ballantyne Pediatrician can diagnose pneumonia through a physical exam. These exams include checking for abnormal breathing patterns. Also, chest x-rays or blood tests are accurate options for diagnosis.
Call Yout Trusted Pediatrician Another way to diagnose pneumonia is by doing a sputum culture. This test consists of taking a sample of mucus (sputum) coughed from the lungs to the mouth. If the color of your baby’s skin inside the lips or under the tongue turns blue, call an emergency medical service.
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