Pneumonia in a child

Insidious virus or infection sneaks into the children's body, even if the mothers comprehensively guard and protect their baby. One of the dangerous diseases at an early age is considered inflammatory-infectious pathology of the respiratory organs. When inflammation of the lung tissue is diagnosed pneumonia in a child, the symptoms of which all parents should know.

Pneumonia in children: symptoms

As a rule, pneumonia does not appear in children with strong immunity as a result of severe hypothermia, because parents do not allow this. Most often, the pathology develops against the background of previously transferred viral or respiratory diseases, which have significantly weakened the defenses of the child’s body.

By its nature, pneumonia is viral, bacterial, acute. Such a disease can be provoked by various viruses and pathogens, in particular:

• pneumococci;
• streptococci;
• staphylococcus, etc.

Often in practice there are cases when pneumonia has developed against the background of the multiplication of E. coli. Depending on the reasons for the occurrence of the disease, pneumonia can be primary or secondary. The symptomatology of such pulmonary pathology is similar to the signs of the development of an ordinary acute respiratory disease or flu.

The main symptom of pneumonia is cough with outgoing sputum. Parents should pay particular attention to the symptoms that appear if their child has a respiratory illness. Often the temperature rises by 5–7 calendar days. This condition can signal the development of pulmonary pathology.

The main symptoms of pneumonia include:

• temperature rise above 38 ° and its duration more than 3 days;
• moist cough (possibly with outgoing sputum);
• rapid breathing with uncharacteristic sounds - grunting, hoarseness.

Also, the development of pneumonia, along with the symptoms listed above, may be indicated by the following signs:

• general weakness;
• capriciousness;
• loss of appetite;
• pallor of the skin.

If such symptoms occur, you should immediately contact a medical institution. The doctor will listen to the baby and take an x-ray if necessary. This method of diagnosis is considered the priority and most reliable. In practice, there were cases where the pronounced symptoms of pneumonia in the baby were absent, namely, an X-ray clearly demonstrated the presence of the disease.

Depending on the age of the baby, the symptoms of pneumonia may differ. Let's take a closer look at them.

Signs of the disease in children 2-3 years

In newborn babies, as well as in children under the age of 1, the symptoms of pneumonia are somewhat different. In older children, one can observe several other signs that, in aggregate, give reason to suspect the development of inflammatory-infectious pulmonary pathology.

Symptoms of pneumonia in children 2 and 3 years old are similar. These should include:

• long-term catarrhal disease: most often a sharp rise in the temperature threshold and the appearance of a deep and wet cough can tell about the development of pneumonia;
• lethargy crumbs;
• sleep disturbance;
• capriciousness;
• loss of appetite.

One of the reliable symptoms of pneumonia at this age is considered to be the respiratory rhythm. At the age of 2-3 years, the baby should take an average of 25 breaths per minute. When lung pathology occurs, the number of breaths increases. Parents can independently count the number of breaths, which makes their baby, per one minute.

In addition, the development of complications after a cold may indicate a fever, which does not subside within 4-5 days. Suspicion of parents should also be caused by the fact that effective antipyretic drugs, for example, Efferalgan, Paracetamol, Panadol, etc., do not help the baby.

If pneumonia develops on the background of infection, then this disease can be transmitted by airborne droplets. In other cases, in particular, if the pulmonary pathology is a complicated consequence of a cold or flu, such a disease is not considered infectious.

How to recognize viral pneumonia?

If the development of pulmonary pathology was triggered by viruses, purulent clots or fluid begin to accumulate in the lungs. In a healthy baby, the pulmonary cavity is filled with air. Children older than one year can get sick with viral pulmonary pathology.

Symptoms of viral pneumonia are very similar to the symptoms of a cold, but there are a number of characteristic differences. These symptoms include:

• chills;
• a sharp rise in temperature to high elevations;
• the appearance of headaches of varying intensity;
• loss of appetite or absolute loss of one;
• difficulty breathing: most often it is accompanied by a characteristic whistle and is frequent;
• shortness of breath.

The main symptom of the development of viral pulmonary pathology is the appearance of pain under the shoulder blades or in the sternum. Mostly attacks of pain appear when coughing.

If you were unable to identify specific signs of viral pneumonia at the initial stage, then the development of a serious ailment in your crumbs will be indicated by an elevated temperature for several days. At the same time, antipyretic pharmaceuticals do not give a positive result.

Hidden form of pathology

Pulmonary pathology may be completely asymptomatic. In this case, treatment will not be started in a timely manner, which may lead to the development of complicated consequences. Most often, the development of pneumonia in a latent form occurs as a result of a strong weakening of the body's defenses or as a result of prolonged use of antibiotic drugs.

There are no characteristic signs and specific symptoms in this form of pathology. However, parents should pay attention to the general condition of their baby. Signal to contact the hospital are the following symptoms:

• reduced activity and low mobility of the crumbs;
• the baby does not eat well or refuses to eat at all;
• his sleep is disturbed;
• the child becomes whiny and very capricious for no reason;
• excessive sweating.

Older children may complain to their parents about the appearance of pain in different parts of the body. In this case, you must immediately go to the attending specialist. He will be able to listen to the baby, take an x-ray. Also, the child is given a blood test.

Chlamydia pneumonia in children

This form of pulmonary pathology results from the ingestion of parasites. Chlamydia penetrate the intercellular organ and soon acquire strong resistance to antibiotic drugs of various groups. That is why such a pathology is very difficult to cure. Often the treatment of chlamydial pneumonia becomes protracted.

Initially, specific symptoms are not manifested. Parents may notice the following symptoms:

• increase in temperature threshold;
• dry exhausting cough;
• general weakness and excessive malaise;
• appearance hoarseness in the voice.

If treatment is not started in a timely manner, the existing symptoms will soon become pronounced and complicated. In addition to these signs, chlamydia pneumonia has the following symptoms:

• pain in the articular tissues;
• the development of skin diseases and the appearance of gratuitous rashes;
• central nervous system disorder;
• signs of hematological type;
• dysfunction of the digestive tract.

Such pneumonia can immediately develop in the acute stage. Also in practice, there are often cases when chlamydial pneumonia develops in a latent form, and then only specific symptoms appear.

Features of treatment

Comprehensive treatment in the diagnosis of pneumonia in a baby can be prescribed only by the attending specialist. Depending on the form of the pathology and obvious complications, the treatment course may include:

• taking antibiotic drugs;
• taking antipyretic drugs;
• special diet;
• oral type hydration.

If you notice that your child has become less active or is refusing to eat, do not delay a visit to the doctor, especially when he has had a cold or flu before. Good health to you and your baby!