Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is more likely to occur in infants and babies who have compromised respiratory systems from either a chronic medical condition, such as cerebral palsy, or an illness, like an upper-respiratory infection. Babies typically catch pneumonia from germs they inhale into their lungs.
Viral
In most cases, babies contract pneumonia from a viral infection. Various viruses that may be responsible for a baby's pneumonia include respiratory syncytial, parainfluenza, adenovirus and influenza. Pneumonia caused by a virus often sets in after your baby shows symptoms of an upper-respiratory infection, such as a runny nose, irritability, nasal congestion, low-grade fever and decreased appetite. The most typical signs of viral pneumonia in babies and young children include a low-grade fever and chronic cough that persists for more than 10 to 14 days.
Bacterial
Infants and babies may also develop pneumonia as a result of a bacterial infection. Bacteria linked to pneumonia in babies include streptococcus pneumoniae, staphylococcus aureus, haemophilus influenzae and chlamydia pneumoniae. Symptoms that accompany this type of pneumonia may include a moist or wet-sounding cold, increased breathing rate, fever, chills, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and decreased appetite. These symptoms generally arrive quickly and are typically more severe than those linked to viral pneumonia. Your baby is more likely to develop this type of pneumonia if she has an underlying respiratory condition, such as cystic fibrosis or asthma, according to Dr. Neil Schachter, medical director of the respiratory care department at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center and author of "The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu."
Treatment
See your pediatrician as soon as you notice signs of pneumonia in your baby, especially shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing or excessive coughing. The doctor will determine the cause of the pneumonia by performing a physical exam, inquiring about symptoms and possibly ordering chest X-rays and mucus or blood tests. Depending on the cause and severity of your baby's pneumonia, the pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medication, and in certain severe cases, hospital admittance and respiratory therapy could be necessary.
Prevention
Both viral and bacterial pneumonia can become serious in babies and infants and often require hospitalization, so prevention is key in warding off respiratory infection. Minimize your baby's chances of catching pneumonia by keeping her away from sick people, especially during the fall and winter months when viral infections abound. Practice proper hygiene measures, such as washing your hands regularly with hot, soapy water, and sneezing or coughing into a tissue. Routine childhood vaccinations, including the pneumococcal and hib, also provide protection against various bacterial causes of pneumonia.
References
- "Baby's First Year"; Sandy Jones, et al.; 2007
- "The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu"; Dr. Neil Schachter; 2005
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pneumonia Can Be Prevented - Vaccines Can Help
