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The danger of the disease lies in the fact that when the lung tissue is damaged, it cannot perform a respiratory function, and therefore respiratory failure develops. With improper and untimely treatment of pneumonia, complications may develop in the form of purulent abscesses, pleurisy, sepsis and others, which can lead to the death of a child.
Symptoms of pneumonia in children
A characteristic symptom for pneumonia is respiratory failure, which is manifested by rapid breathing or even shortness of breath. Typical symptoms for all types of pneumonia are:
- Increasing the temperature to 39°C;
- Paleness of the skin;
- Chest pain when coughing;
- Cough with sputum;
- sweating;
- Sharp weakness;
- Lag in breathing of the affected part of the chest from the healthy one;
Cough is usually not completely dry, but with sputum, especially in the later stages of the disease. Sputum may have a “rusty” tint due to the high content of red blood cells in it from broken capillaries in the lungs.
Pneumonia in a child is always accompanied by symptoms of intoxication, such as severe weakness, headache, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
In infants, the symptoms of pneumonia may not be as pronounced, the temperature may not rise above low-grade fever, and the cough may not always be so pronounced.
Types of pneumonia in children
Due to the occurrence of pneumonia is divided into primary and secondary. Primary pneumonia is caused directly by contact with pathogens, bacteria, viruses or fungi. Secondary pneumonia usually develops as a complication of other respiratory diseases – influenza, tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc.
Viral
Depending on the pathogen that caused the disease, pneumonia can be viral, bacterial or fungal. Viral pneumonia is less common than bacterial pneumonia. Its causative agents can serve as influenza viruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, measles and chickenpox viruses. Infection with viral pneumonia usually occurs by airborne droplets in school and preschool institutions during the epidemic. Often, viral pneumonia develops as a complication of influenza or other acute respiratory viral infections and occurs with characteristic symptoms – chills, fever up to 39 ° C, redness of the throat, severe weakness, headache, shortness of breath. The addition of a cough with purulent sputum indicates the development of a bacterial infection.
Outpatient or home
Depending on the place of development, pneumonia is divided into community-acquired or home and hospital (nosocomial). Community-acquired or home pneumonia usually develops in the community outside the hospital. Hospital-acquired pneumonia develops in patients who are in the hospital and are being treated for other diseases. The causative agents of nosocomial pneumonia differ from community-acquired pathogens in their high resistance to conventional antibiotics.
Community-acquired pneumonia usually develops in a child at home, in a preschool or school setting and is characterized by all of the symptoms listed above.
Sharp
According to the nature of the course, pneumonia is divided into:
- Acute form – the most common form of pneumonia, characterized by rapid onset and resolution within 1-3 weeks;
- Subacute or protracted form – the duration of such pneumonia is up to 3-6 weeks;
- Chronic form, characterized by structural changes in the lung. This form of pneumonia develops as a result of incomplete recovery of the acute form and is characterized by periodic relapses of the disease with a rise in temperature, weakness, sweating, etc. The chronic form of pneumonia can last up to six months.
Treatment of pneumonia in children
Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. The doctor prescribes broad-spectrum antibiotics, since it is not possible to determine the pathogen at the first visit to the doctor. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the prescribed antibiotic is carried out within 2-3 days. It is believed that the drug has worked if the body temperature decreases and the symptoms of pneumonia are relieved. If there is no effect, the drug must be replaced with another one. The course of antibiotics is usually up to 10 days. In severe cases of pneumonia, the child may be hospitalized.
What to do with temperature
Temperature rises play a protective role – this is how the body fights infection. However, high temperatures (above 38’5°C) are not well tolerated by children and may develop seizures. In order to reduce the temperature, it is recommended to take antipyretics, such as paracetamol and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
To thin the sputum and facilitate its separation, it is recommended to take expectorants and mucolytics (Lazolvan, Dr. Mom, Ambroxol).
It is advisable to take plenty of fluids, since the body loses a large amount of fluid as a result of heavy sweating (toxins are removed from the body with sweat). Bed rest is also required.
What to do without fever
Usually pneumonia occurs with fever, fever to high numbers. However, in some cases, its atypical course with subfebrile temperature is possible. In this case, it is necessary to differentiate pneumonia from other respiratory diseases. This will help the pediatrician. If the diagnosis of pneumonia is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Can antibiotics be taken
Taking antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia is not possible, but necessary. However, the decision to prescribe one or another antibacterial antibiotic is made by a doctor. If the prescribed drug is ineffective, it can be replaced with another one. In case of pneumonia caused by viruses, it is necessary to prescribe antiviral drugs and drugs that strengthen the immune system (vitamin C, Immunal).
Home recovery
After the doctor is convinced of full recovery (for this, an x-ray of the lungs should show the absence of an inflammatory process and wheezing should not be heard in the lungs), the child can go to kindergarten or school. But this does not mean that the treatment is completed. Sometimes it is required to complete the course of antibiotic therapy, continue to drink expectorants until the sputum disappears completely. At the same time, it is important not to forget to take probiotics to restore the intestinal microflora affected by antibiotics.
However, the recovery of respiratory function can last from several months to 1 year, depending on the severity of the disease and the health of the child. During this period, it is desirable to continue rehabilitation procedures. These procedures include:
- Inhalations;
- oxygen cocktails;
- UHF;
- Outdoor recreation.
Prevention of pneumonia in children
In order to prevent the development of pneumonia in children, it is necessary to sanitize all foci of infection – sinusitis, otitis media, caries, tonsillitis. It is important to avoid hypothermia in the winter season. Currently, there is also a vaccination against pneumococcus Pneumo-23, as well as against Haemophilus influenzae.