Many parents struggle when their child is sick, worried that every cough or cold could be the start of a serious issue like pneumonia. While pneumonia is treatable, it is also highly contagious. A vigilant parent should make sure that his child is as protected as possible and gets early medical care when pneumonia becomes an issue.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an illness that occurs due to an infection caused by bacteria or viruses in the lungs. In general, it starts as a cold and increases in intensity over several days until the mucus generated during the cold becomes infected. Symptoms includes heavy, phlegmy cough, heavy or hard breathing, high fever, chest pain, wheezing or grunting and a pale bluish tint to the lips and face.
Treatments
Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics that kill off the infection in the lungs. This is only helpful when that infection is caused by bacteria. If the infection is caused by a virus, then antibiotics are useless. Steam therapy is an at-home remedy that may loosen the infected mucous in the lungs and allow your child to cough it up. Get your child to stand in the bathroom while you run the water hot in the shower. The warm steamy air helps break up the mucous. Talk to your doctor about the best way to clap your child on the chest or back to help loosen the mucous. Cough suppressants can help your child get a good night's sleep, but is not recommended for daytime use. Coughing is important and one of the best ways your child is able to expel the infection. Instead, use a cough expectorant during the day as per doctor's orders.
Facts
Your child is not more likely to get pneumonia again if she has had it once after a few months have passed. If your child has a weakened immune system, she may be more likely to develop pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is a mild case of pneumonia that won't go away. Your child may have a cough and not appear sick but still have pneumonia.
Call the Doctor
If you believe that your child has pneumonia, do not attempt to treat it at home. Instead, call your doctor immediately and, if you have to wait for an appointment, ask about what you can do in the meantime to help your child. If your child is having a hard time breathing and is blue in the lips or face, take him to the doctor or, if unavailable, go to the emergency room immediately.
