What are the signs of pneumonia in a toddler?
Toddler Pneumonia Signs And Symptoms
The very thought that your toddler could suffer from pneumonia can put fear into your heart. Pneumonia is a condition that occurs when there is an abnormal inflammation of the lung often caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Though there are various factors that cause pneumonia, most often the cause is viral. The inflammation occurs in the microscopic sacs that are present in the lungs.
Symptoms of pneumonia in a toddler
The symptoms that you need to look out for in a toddler are fever and cough. These may be accompanied by headaches, weakness, muscle pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing trouble. Your toddler can be running high temperature with cough that produces phlegm along with shaking chills, chest pain, headaches, joint pains or blueness of skin. Upon examining the toddler, physically nothing may be seen, but if a stethoscope is used, harsh sounds can be heard in the air passage.
Different types of pneumonia
There are many types of pneumonia in toddlers, depending on the causes. Some of the common types of pneumonia include lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, community acquired pneumonia, and hospital acquired pneumonia. These can be caused by different types of bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Most often it is streptococcus pneumonia that is the general cause for pneumonia. The incubation period for the virus or bacteria may vary from one day to a week's time.
Viral pneumonia is less severe, but can make your toddler more vulnerable to bacterial infection. Bacterial pneumonia can occur quickly accompanied by the rapid onset of fever and rapid breathing. Your child may become weak, have diarrhea, lose weight, and may experience night sweats. If at any point in time, your toddler begins to struggle to breathe, acts confused, or develops a bluish tinge on his or her skin, immediate medical attention is needed.
Although pneumonia is not infectious, the virus or bacteria causing it could be infectious. Keep your toddler in isolation as much as you can to protect others. It is best to use separate clothes and towels for your infected toddler. It is also a good idea to keep your child away from other persons who have a throat and nose infection.
Treatment and prevention of toddler pneumonia.
There are several antibiotics for treating pneumonia. Your doctor will prescribe the medicines based on your toddlers age, medical condition, and the type of pneumonia. Your toddler may also have to be hospitalized. As pneumonia is a common lung infection it is essential to treat the child as soon as the symptoms appear.
The best way to prevent pneumonia is to keep the surroundings clean and teach your toddler to wash his or her hands before and after meals, after playing, or using the bathroom. Do not let your child share his or her utensils with other friends or family members. Try keeping the house smoke free as cigarette smoke can affect children making them easy targets for pneumonia and other upper respiratory infections.
Submitted by N on June 1, 2010 at 06:34
