PNEUMONIA (Chest infection/ Lung infection)
BASICS OF THE CONDITION
- There are two main causes of infection
- Bacteria- Generally more unwell. Need antibiotics
- Virus- More common in younger children, generally < 2 years. They have periods of feeling better when the child’s temperature is controlled.
SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA
- Fever/ Chills
- Cough/ running nose/ sneezing
- Difficulty breathing/ faster breathing/ using more muscles of chest
- Tiredness/ unable to talk
NORMAL RATE OF BREATHING ACCORDING TO AGE OF CHILD
SEE A DOCTOR IN
- In younger babies < 1year
- If child having difficulty breathing
- High fever/ deteriorating by the day
- Unable to eat/ not passed urine> 12 hours
TREATMENT
- If the doctor feels its viral cause- then he may not give antibiotics
- Bacterial infections need 5 to 10 day of antibiotics
- Younger babies may need intravenous antibiotics and respiratory support
- If any confusion the doctor may ask for a chest X-ray
- The sputum or throat swab may be taken to grow the bug
RESPIRATORY SUPPORT
At hospital, doctors facilitate breathing by
- Giving oxygen through mask
- Or giving pressurized oxygen into nose
- Taking over the breathing effort entirely so that the breathing machine does effort entirely
FIRST AID AT HOME
- Give the child plenty of fluids, as they lose it with fast breathing
- If the child is known to have asthma and you unsure if he/ she is wheezy, give the first dose of inhalers. Meet your doctor if unsure
- Control temperature of a child with Paracetamol/ Ibuprofen (Ibuprofen may not be used if the child is known to have severe wheeze/ allergy/ Kidney problems).
- Humidify the air in the room. Close all doors and windows and humidify the air by generating steam (open hot water tap in bathroom or use humidifier- take precautions while using hot water)
PREVENTION
- Wash hand regularly especially while handling babies
- Eating wide variety of healthy food rich in vitamins and minerals( green leafy vegetables/ fruits) help to maintain immunity
- Regularly get the Flu Jab
- If you worried that child is repeatedly unwell, talk to your doctors
SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF
- Uneasiness/ tiredness
- Drowsy/ sleepy
- Change in colour around lips
- Unable to speak
- Worsening condition by the day
- Prolonged cough/ Weight loss