Pneumonia—Child

Definition

Pneumonia is an infection deep in the small airways and air sacs of the lungs. The infection will make the air sacs swell and fill with fluid or pus. This causes intense coughing and can make it hard to breathe.

This article will focus on the type of pneumonia that is spread in places such as the home, school, or daycare.

Infection in the Air Sacs of the Lungs.

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Causes

Pneumonia is caused by a germ in the air that you breathe. Germs that most often cause community-acquired pneumonia include:

• Viruses—such as flu or cold viruses
• Bacteria
• Fungus—more likely to happen in people with other health issues like immune system problems

Risk Factors

Pneumonia is more common in children under the age of 5 years.

Other things that may raise a child’s risk of pneumonia include:

• Being around tobacco smoke
• Allergies or asthma
• Not having protective vaccines
• History of respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis
• Chronic conditions that affect the lungs, such as cystic fibrosis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Chronic conditions that weaken the immune system
• Malnutrition
• Having problems with the heart or lungs at birth
• Neuromuscular disorders that affect lung function
• Sickle-cell anemia

Symptoms

A child with pneumonia may have:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fever and chills
• Wheezing—a hoarse whistling sound
• Fast breathing

Children may also:

• Be less active
• Seem irritable
• Have little or no interest in food or feeding
• Have belly pain or vomiting
• Have a headache

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may suspect pneumonia based on the exam. Blood and fluids that the child coughs up may be tested. These test are not always needed.

Images of the lungs may be taken with:

• Chest x-ray
• Ultrasound

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to get rid of the infection. How that is done depends on what germ caused the infection and the child's overall health. More care may be needed if there is a severe infection. A hospital stay may be needed if the child has breathing problems.

Treatment options may include:

Prevention

Vaccines may help prevent certain pneumonia. Vaccine schedules for children include:

• Flu vaccine—in all children aged 6 months and more every year
• Pneumococcal vaccine:
  • PCV13, PCV15 is recommended in all children, and routinely given to all children aged 2 months to 5 years
  • PCV23 in children aged 2 years and up who have a high risk of infection or a suppressed immune system
• Hemophilus influenza type B vaccine, routinely given to all children aged 2 months to 5 years
• Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, routinely given to all children aged 2 months to 5 years as part of the DTaP vaccine
• Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, routinely given to children 11 years or older as part of the Tdap vaccine

Some children may have a higher risk of pneumonia. Medicine may be given to these children after a cold or the flu to help prevent pneumonia.

To decrease a child’s risk of any airway infection:

• Do not let children be around tobacco smoke. Smoke weakens the lungs' resistance to infection.
• Avoid close contact with people who have a cold or the flu.
• Encourage children to wash their hands often.
• Treat any chronic disease.