Pneumonia sounds like a very serious illness and it can be, but most babies who have a normal immune system are able to recover fully. This type of infection impacts the respiratory system, primarily the lungs. The source of the infection can include viruses, bacteria and various other agents that can be inhaled. It is important to be able to identify the symptoms of pneumonia in a baby, as immediate medical attention for complications may be necessary.
Cold-Like Symptoms
Pneumonia typically begins like a cold with coughing and a runny nose for several days, as noted by DrGreene.com. Soon the symptoms worsen and seem different from those of a cold. The symptoms of pneumonia can last several days or even as long as two or three weeks. The cough can persist beyond the other symptoms. Infants can cough up mucus with pneumonia at the beginning, throughout the illness, and sometimes after the infection seems to be clearing up.
Breathing
Breathing speeds up with pneumonia. The baby may have nostril flaring with each breath. The skin may also pull tightly across the ribs with each breath. Wheezing or struggling to breath are serious symptoms attributed to pneumonia that should be examined by a health care professional. The baby may grunt or make other noises, such as whistling, when breathing according to Kids Health. In severe cases, the baby may develop bluish or a gray color of the lips and fingernails.
Fever
A fever with shaking chills is likely to accompany bacterial pneumonia, states DrGreene.com. The fever can be very high and require medical treatment if it reaches a certain level. Very young infants with a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and infants over six-months of age should receive treatment for a fever over 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Caregivers can discuss the threshold of a baby's body temperature to determine when treatment is necessary.
Behavioral Changes
BabyCenter.com points out that an infant can become weak or lose his appetite from pneumonia. The symptoms may occur gradually or start mildly before worsening. The baby will most likely appear sicker than she would with a normal cold. She is likely to be lethargic or less active than normal.
Digestive Symptoms
Some infants may experience diarrhea or vomiting with pneumonia, suggests BabyCenter.com. This can be the result of coughing too hard or from the body attempting to purge the infectious agent. The Kids Health website suggests the child may have abdominal pain with the illness.
