Does Your Child Have Pneumonia?

During the winter season, respiratory infections are stronger than ever. Pneumonia is a common and serious but treatable infection of the lower respiratory tract or lungs. An upper respiratory infection--also known as a viral cold and cough--can quickly become an infection of the lungs. Children may have about a dozen colds per year, and you should not run to the doctor for each and every sniffle or cough. Your child's symptoms can help you decide if you need to take her to the doctor immediately.

Take your child to the doctor:

1. if he has a cold that lasts longer than 1 week and is actually not improving;
2. if the cough sounds wet or deep (the child may complain of pain in the chest while coughing);
3. if there is a fever with a cold or cough for more than 3 days;
4. if the child has a history of pneumonia or asthma;
5. if you hear any wheezing;
6. if her appetite drops suddenly;
7. if he is consuming less liquid, making less urine and becoming dehydrated; or
8. if she coughs so hard that she vomits.

There can be more severe symptoms, such as your child's lips turning blue and him breathing so hard that he is unable to speak and cry normally. Those are reasons to call 911.

Your pediatrician will usually prescribe an antibiotic for pneumonia, and perhaps a chest X-ray. Some children who are not breathing well may need to be hospitalized. It is not unusual for a child to need an inhaler medication as well. Inhaler medications can help open up the lungs and/or decrease phlegm in the chest, and do not mean that your child has (or will have) asthma.

If a family member has pneumonia, it is important to pay close attention to the symptoms being exhibited by everyone in the household. A child's pneumonia is not usually contagious, because he is not strong enough to cough up the bacteria; however, the other respiratory symptoms that led to the pneumonia are highly contagious. Things like good hand washing can make a big difference in keeping your entire family healthy.