Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or chemical irritants. It is a serious infection or inflammation in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is not a single disease. It can have over 30 different causes. There are five main causes of pneumonia:

Bacteria

Viruses

Mycoplasmas

Other infectious agents, such as fungi including pneumocystis

Various chemicals

Symptoms

fever

chest or stomach pain

decrease in appetite

chills

breathing fast or hard

vomiting

headache

not feeling well

fussiness

Treatment at home

Most children with pneumonia are able to be treated at home.

They will need to rest a lot.

They need to drink small amounts of fluids often so they do not get dehydrated.

They may be more comfortable sleeping propped up on a couple of pillows So they are not laying completely flat.

If your child has chest pains they may need some pain relief, such as paracetamol (e.g. Panadol).

Do not give cough medicines. They do not help children with pneumonia.

Smoking around your child should be avoided at all times.

Treatment in hospital

Some children with pneumonia need to be admitted to hospital. This is usually if they:

Are less than one year old.

Are not able to take medicine by mouth.

Have become dehydrated.

Have severe breathing problems.

While in hospital your child will be watched closely and the following treatments may be necessary.

Antibiotics given directly into a vein by intravenous therapy (called IV or drip). These will only be given if the pneumonia is thought to be bacterial.

Some children may need oxygen to help them to breathe more easily.

Children who are dehydrated will need to be given fluids by a drip.