Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infectious disease, common among babies and small children. The infectious process develops in one or both lungs because of a virus (for example, RSV or COVID-19), a bacterium (such as pneumococcus - Streptococcus pneumoniae), or a combination of the two. There are also rare cases of pneumonia caused by a parasite or a fungal infection (mainly in chronic patients or patients with a compromised immune system).
Mode of transmission
Pneumonia is caused by various airborne contaminants that enter the respiratory tract (coughing or sneezing), or by contact with sick people and with infected objects, followed by insertion of the hand into the mouth.
Among newborns, bacterial pneumonia may be contracted from the mother as they pass through the birth canal. The disease is contagious as long as there are respiratory symptoms and a fever. Once symptoms disappear, the disease is no longer contagious, and you can go back to normal.
Important to know
Important to know
Viral pneumonia is mostly common in the autumn and winter, while bacterial pneumonia can occur at any time of the year.
Possible symptoms
Pneumonia causes a variety of symptoms of varying degrees and their severity is influenced by the cause of the infection, the age of the patient and the state of health. Generally, symptoms of viral and bacterial pneumonia are similar, but in case of a viral infection, there are usually more symptoms.
Possible symptoms that can appear during the illness:
- Body temperature is higher or lower than normal (small babies may not have a fever).
- Cough, with or without phlegm (in babies under the age of one month, a cough will not always appear).
- Chest pain when breathing or coughing.
- Rapid breathing and retraction of the lower chest wall inwards during breathing.
- Wheezing (more common in viral infection) or shortness of breath.
Other symptoms may occur, such as: decreased appetite and difficulty eating.
Risk groups
Anyone can get pneumonia, but several groups in the population are at greater risk of getting sick. Among children, the risk groups are:
- Infants and babies under the age of two.
- Infants and babies suffering from chronic diseases such as lung disease, heart disease or diabetes.
- Children suffering from cancer, children who are immunosuppressed and suffering from immunodeficiency.
- Children exposed to passive smoking.
Recovery time
Recovery time depends on the severity of the illness but in most cases, pneumonia lasts 2–4 weeks. There are cases of mild illness that disappear after approximately one week.
Diagnosis
In case of suspected pneumonia, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. In most cases, the diagnosis will include questioning the parents and a physical examination. The doctor will listen to the lungs and look for typical findings of the disease, such as increased breathing rate. If there is no unequivocal diagnosis, you may be asked to undergo a chest x-ray, or blood tests that can indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Treatment
To treat pneumonia, the cause of the disease must first be diagnosed. In children, in most cases, the pneumonia is caused by viruses, so there is no need for antibiotic treatment. However, when it is difficult to determine whether the disease is viral or bacterial, a decision may be made to prescribe antibiotics to avoid any risks.
In some cases, such as in small babies, the doctor can recommend hospitalization for close supervision, intravenous antibiotic treatment (if necessary) and administration of oxygen to ease breathing.
Possible complications
Among children, and especially those in the risk groups, pneumonia can lead to various complications. The potential complications are:
- Sepsis: penetration of a contaminating bacterium from the lungs into the bloodstream and from there to other organs in the body.
- Respiratory distress: in the case of acute pneumonia or in patients with chronic lung disease, severe shortness of breath may develop and lead to respiratory distress.
- Formation of pleural effusion: retention of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleura) that surrounds the lung.
- Lung abscess: as a result of the infection, a purulent cavity can form in the lung tissue.
- Chronic disease progression: in patients suffering from a chronic disease, the existing disease may aggravate due to the pneumonia.
- Recurring pneumonia: after getting pneumonia, the risk of recurrence of the disease increases.
Prevention
There is no way to completely prevent pneumonia in children, but you can reduce the risk of contracting the disease in several ways:
- Vaccination: you might prevent pneumonia caused by the pneumococcus bacterium by getting the Prevnar 13 vaccine, which is received as part of the immunization schedule in the Family Care Center, as well as reduce the chance of contracting pneumonia as a result of the flu by getting vaccinated against the flu.
- Staying away from sick people: since the disease is transmitted through the air and by contact, it is recommended to avoid exposing infants and babies to sick people, as well as avoid exposure to various objects that are used by them, such as towels, bedding and toys.
- Hand washing: try to maintain hygiene and wash your hands with soap and water, especially around small babies and in contact with them. This guideline is relevant not only for family members, but also to preschool staff and medical staff who come into direct contact with children.
- Ventilation of the house: open windows and ventilate the rooms of the house every day.
- Avoid smoking: exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing the disease and its complications. More on passive smoking
Important to emphasize
Important to emphasize
Children whose parents smoke are at a higher risk of contracting respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia. It is also worth noting that smoking only outside the home (such as on the porch) does not completely protect children as the toxins of the tobacco smoke remain on the body and clothes after smoking. The only way to prevent harm caused by passive smoking is to quit smoking.