Pneumonia is a condition that causes an inflammation of the lungs. Inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs and abnormal fluid buildup in the alveoli could also be indicative of pneumonia. Pneumonia can be triggered by bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic infections as well as injury to the lungs. However, pneumonia in toddlers is more often than not caused by bacterial or viral infections. The symptoms pneumonia of either types, in toddlers are more or less the same, but the onset of these sympotoms depends on the cause. Viral pneumonia in toddlers brings about symptoms similar to those experienced in the case of a common cold.
Body temperature begins to rise and gradually high fever accompanied by a general feeling of weakness, a bad cough, wheezing and a change in breathing pattern is experienced. The signs of bacterial pneumonia in toddlers generally show up all of a sudden and include fever, coughing, sore throat, rapid pulse and breathing patterns, a loss of appetite and weakness. Diarrhea, vomiting, chest pain and abdominal pain are other signs of pneumonia in toddlers. In extreme cases, a grayish or bluish discoloration of the skin, especially the lips, and the fingertips may be observed because of insufficient oxygen circulation. A mild form of pneumonia caused by the bacteria ‘mycoplasma pneumoniae’, known as walking pneumonia in toddlers is also common and gets its name from the fact that toddlers suffering from this form of the illness need not take complete bed rest. Toddlers with pneumonia may also become lethargic as well as cranky. A sudden disinterest in surrounding articles as well as decreased enthusiasm accompanied by the above symptoms is known to motivate parents to consult a pediatrician to ascertain the cause of their toddler’s condition. While checking for pneumonia, a pediatrician would normally first check the mucus in the nose and listen to the sound from the lungs through a stethoscope and then probably recommend a blood test along with a chest x-ray to confirm the condition.
For pneumonia in toddlers, treatment first involves plenty of rest and may take around six weeks to cure completely. The pediatrician may prescribe some antibiotics, based on the severity of the condition. For small babies, antibiotics may be administered intravenously, if needed. These antibiotics play a crucial role in dealing with the bacteria or virus. Since loss of appetite is inevitable, the intake of plenty of fluids is recommended for the treatment of pneumonia. Warm soups are an ideal meal option. The use of a humidifier is recommended to ease breathing. Regular temperature checks are essential to ensure that body temperature can be regulated.
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