The word pneumonia means "infection of the lung." Pneumonia was very dangerous in past generations. Thankfully, today most children can recover from it easily with medical attention.
Read on to learn the causes of pneumonia, common symptoms, how it's treated and how to help prevent the illness.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae & walking pneumonia
There has been a recent
increase in
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (
M. pneumoniae) infections, especially in children.
M. pneumoniae is a common reason for mild respiratory illness. It can also cause a less severe form of pneumonia known as "
walking pneumonia."
What causes pneumonia?
Most cases of pneumonia follow a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Pneumonia is also caused by bacterial infections. Also, if a viral infection has irritated the airway enough or weakened a child's immune system, bacteria may begin to grow in the lung; this adds a second infection to the original one.
Most forms of pneumonia are linked to viral or bacterial infections that spread from person to person. They are common during the fall, winter, and early spring, when children spend more time indoors in close contact with others.
Signs & symptoms of pneumonia in children
Pneumonia usually produces a fever, which may cause sweating, chills, flushed skin and discomfort. A child also may lose their appetite and seem less energetic than normal. Babies and toddlers may seem pale and limp, and cry more than usual.
Because pneumonia can cause breathing difficulties, you may notice these other, more specific symptoms, too:
Cough
Fast, labored breathing
Drawing in of the skin between and around the ribs and breastbone
Flaring (widening) of the nostrils
Pain in the chest, particularly with coughing or deep breathing
Wheezing
Pale, gray or bluish-colored lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone, caused by decreased oxygen in the bloodstream
The doctor usually diagnoses pneumonia after looking at signs and symptoms and examining your child. However, a
chest X-ray sometimes is needed to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the extent of lung involvement.
Are some children at higher risk of getting pneumonia?
Children whose immune defenses or lungs are weakened by other illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, or cancer may be more likely to develop pneumonia. Those whose airways or lungs are abnormal in other ways may also have a higher risk.
Pneumonia treatment
When pneumonia is caused by a virus, usually there is no specific treatment other than rest and the usual measures for fever control. Cough suppressants containing codeine or dextromethorphan should not be used. Coughing is helpful in clearing the excessive secretions caused by the infection. Viral pneumonia usually improves after a few days, although the cough may last several weeks.
Because it is often difficult to tell whether the pneumonia is caused by a virus or by a bacteria, your pediatrician may prescribe an antibiotic. All antibiotics should be taken for the full prescribed course and at the recommended dose. Your child will feel better after just a few days. Do not stop the antibiotic early because the infection could return.
Check back with the doctor if your child shows any of the following signs that the infection is worsening or spreading.
Fever lasting mor e than a few days despite using antibiotics
Fever that goes away and then returns after a few days
Trouble breathing
Increased lethargy and sleepiness
Signs of infection elsewhere in the body: red, swollen joints, bone pain, neck stiffness, vomiting, or other new symptoms or signs
Prevention: the pneumonia vaccine
Your child can be vaccinated against pneumococcal infections, a bacterial cause of pneumonia. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children starting at 2 months of age receive this immunization (called pneumococcal conjugate). A series of doses is given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age, at the same time that children receive other
childhood vaccines.
If your child did not receive the first doses at the recommended times, talk to your pediatrician about a catch-up schedule. One dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should be given to:
all healthy children ages 2 through 5 years who have not previously received their recommended doses before the age of 2 years, and to
children ages 2 through 18 years with certain underlying medical conditions who have not previously received a dose.
Another pneumococcal vaccine (pneumococcal polysaccharide) also is recommended for older children (2 through 5 years of age) who have a high risk of developing a pneumococcal infection. These include children with:
It's also recommended for children taking medications or who have diseases that weaken their immune system. Some children with certain medical conditions may need a second dose of the vaccine.
More information