Pneumonia in children is a lung infection that can easily be mistaken for a simple flu. The disease is caused by a virus or bacteria that take hold in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. The vast majority of pneumonia cases in children occur in babies up to 1 year old, so it is recommended to use appropriate clothing for each season and avoid exposing the child to environments with sudden temperature changes or places with strong air conditioning.

Because the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu, it can be harder to get an immediate diagnosis, especially if it is viral pneumonia, which presents cough, high fever, and difficulty breathing—exact symptoms of colds and flu. Besides viral, there is also bacterial pneumonia in children, which occurs unexpectedly and suddenly, with a very high fever above 39 degrees from one hour to the next, leading to slower breathing and a strong cough. So, if your child has had cold or flu-like symptoms for more than a week, persistent fever, and seems to be getting worse, quickly seek a pediatrician for further tests and the right treatment.

How to Diagnose and Treat Pneumonia in Children

The usual procedure for diagnosing pneumonia in children is listening to the lungs using a stethoscope. When pneumonia is present, the lungs produce wheezing and abnormal sounds as the child breathes, and a chest X-ray will be needed to confirm. Other tests may be requested, such as a complete blood count and samples of mucus from the nose and throat to determine the type of pneumonia, whether viral or bacterial.

The treatment will be indicated based on test results, the child’s current health status, and their age group. Treatment for viral pneumonia consists of complete rest, drinking plenty of fluids for hydration, using a nebulizer to help improve breathing, and fever-reducing medication if the child is febrile. In more severe cases, where the child is very weak, the doctor may recommend hospitalization so the child can receive intravenous fluids for hydration and use an oxygen mask, which will help with breathing and provide relief from respiratory discomfort.

When the pneumonia is bacterial, treatment should be based on antibiotics, and respiratory physiotherapy may be recommended to help fight the disease. Drinking plenty of fluids and rest is essential for a quick recovery and full restoration of health in this case. There are certain measures to prevent pneumonia in children, such as keeping vaccinations up to date. Vaccines against diphtheria and whooping cough prevent diseases that can develop into pneumonia. There is also a vaccine offered for free at health centers that immunizes against the pneumococcus bacterium.

Always washing hands—both the child’s and our own, since we are constantly touching the child—is fundamental to keep disease-causing agents as far away as possible. Avoid letting the child have contact with places frequented by smokers; cigarette smoke is extremely harmful and one of the major causes of pneumonia in children.

See also: Why Do Children Get Fevers?

Photo: Mike Blyth, furiousmadgeorge