Search results
Dec 2, 2023 · Pneumonia in kids is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs in the lungs. These air sacs fill with fluid or pus, leading to a productive cough, fever, and chest soreness. Pneumonia is often caused by an upper respiratory infection, such as the flu, that spreads to the lungs. Pneumonia in babies and kids can also be caused by a ...
Key points about pneumonia in children. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It can be mild or serious. The illness can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Some common symptoms include fever, cough, tiredness (fatigue), and chest pain. Treatment depends on the cause of the pneumonia.
Less often, bacteria can cause pneumonia. When that happens, kids usually will become sick more quickly, starting with a sudden high fever, cough, and sometimes fast breathing. Types of bacterial pneumonia include pneumococcal pneumonia, mycoplasma pneumonia (walking pneumonia), and pertussis (whooping cough). How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed?
Vomiting or diarrhea. Decrease in appetite. Fatigue. Fever. Viral pneumonia. This is caused by various viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV (most commonly seen in children under age 5), parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, and adenovirus. Early symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as those of bacterial pneumonia.
Fever. Tiredness, weakness. Nausea or vomiting. Pneumonia caused by a virus is often less severe than when caused by bacteria. The symptoms usually start out like the flu. They slowly get worse over a few days. Pneumonia caused by bacteria can come on suddenly with a high fever, fast breathing and coughing.
Treatment for pneumonia. You'll usually be given antibiotics to treat pneumonia. Most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks. Some people are more at risk of becoming seriously ill. You may need to go to hospital for treatment if: you're over 65; you have cardiovascular disease or a long-term lung condition; your baby or young child has pneumonia ...
In the United States, pneumonia is the most common cause of hospitalization in children. Even in hospitalized children, community-acquired pneumonia is most likely of viral etiology, with ...
