What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a type of chest or lung infection that affects one or both of the lungs. The lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid, which causes a
cough and makes it harder to breathe.
Pneumonia can develop after a
cold or flu, particularly in the winter months. It can be caused by a number of possible viruses and bacteria.
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In babies and young children, a virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common causes of viral pneumonia.
Pneumonia can affect anyone of any age. However, it can be more common, and more serious, in babies and young children.
How will I know if my child has pneumonia?
Pneumonia can develop rapidly over a day or two, or more slowly over several days. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if it’s just a bad
cold. A cough is often one of the first signs. Take your baby to your paediatrician if:
- she has a fever and is sweating and shivering
- she has a bad cough and is coughing up thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
- she seems generally unwell
- she has lost her appetite
Some babies may develop a more serious case of pneumonia that may need treatment in hospital. Take your baby to hospital's emergency wing if:
- she is breathing in a rapid and shallow way, with the skin between her ribs, above her collarbone, or below her rib cage sucking in with each breath
- she has had less than half of her usual amount of fluids over the past 24 hours
- she is wheezing (a coarse, whistling sound as she breathes)
- she has blue lips and fingernails
How is pneumonia diagnosed in babies and toddlers?
Your baby's doctor will listen to your baby’s lungs with a stethoscope to check for fluid and any crackling sounds. She will also check your baby’s heart rate and breathing, and ask you about any other symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest your baby has a chest X-ray in hospital if she seems particularly unwell. This will show how much her lungs have been affected.
Your child may also need to have a blood test or a mucus test to find out whether her pneumonia is viral or bacterial.
How is pneumonia treated in babies and young children?
If your doctor thinks your baby’s pneumonia is mild, then she can be treated at home. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia will go away on its own as your baby’s immune system fights the virus.
Since it can be difficult to know whether your baby’s pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection or a virus, especially if she doesn't go to hospital for tests, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to be on the safe side.
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You can also try other treatments to help ease your baby’s discomfort:
- Make sure your baby gets plenty of rest.
- Give your baby infant paracetamol in the dose recommended by her doctor to bring down her fever.
- Your baby can easily become dehydrated if her congested airways and cough are making it hard for her to drink. Encourage her to take extra breastfeeds or bottle feeds. She can have water too, if she's on formula or if she has started solids.
Don’t give your baby any over-the-counter cough and cold medicines or herbal treatments. They may not be suitable for her age and may also carry the risk of side-effects.
Some people say that home remedies, heating oils, heat inducing drinks, foods or herbs can help pneumonia. Some may also suggest you keep your baby in a hot environment. There isn't enough evidence to show how safe any of these treatments are, and some may not be suitable for babies and young children.
Overheating can be dangerous for your baby and increases the risk of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Many foods, drinks and herbs are not recommended for young babies. If you're still keen to try alternate remedies speak to your baby's doctor first.
Take your baby back to see your doctor immediately, if:
- her symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours of starting antibiotics
- her fever gets worse
- she seems agitated or distressed
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If your baby is struggling to breathe, or if you can’t see your doctor straight away, take her to hospital immediately.
If your baby needs treatment in hospital, doctors will make sure she is getting enough fluids and enough oxygen. Your baby may be given antibiotics through a drip. She may also need fluids through a drip if she is very dehydrated. If she’s having trouble breathing and the level of oxygen in her blood is low, she may be given extra oxygen through a mask.
How long your baby stays in hospital depends on how severe her pneumonia is. For milder cases she may just need to spend a day or two in hospital. For more severe cases, she may spend up to five days or six days in hospital.
If your baby is recovering well once discharged, she’s unlikely to need any follow-up treatment. However, if she had severe pneumonia, or continues to have symptoms, she may need to have another chest x-ray and check-ups.
What can I do to prevent my child from getting pneumonia?
To boost your baby’s chances of staying healthy and reduce the risk of getting pneumonia:
- Make sure your baby has her vaccinations. The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) protects against some causes of pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). The Hib, diphtheria, and whooping cough vaccines are also important in preventing diseases that can lead to pneumonia.
- Practise good personal hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, and wash your hands and your baby’s hands often to prevent the spread of germs. If you have a maid or ayah looking after your baby, make sure she keeps clean.
- Have a smoke-free environment at home. If you or your husband smokes, try to stop. Babies who live around cigarette smoke become ill more often and are more susceptible to illnesses such as pneumonia, colds, asthma, and ear infections
- Keep your baby well-nourished. Exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months is the best way to support your baby's developing immune system. Your breastmilk contains antibodies that your body produces, which help your baby fight off infections even when her immune system is not fully developed yet. As you start introducing solids to your baby, breastmilk will remain an important source of nutrients and antibodies until you fully wean her.
- Avoid crowded places. As far as possible avoid taking your baby to crowded places or enclosed areas during seasons when there are more viral infections.
If your baby is
born prematurely, you will need to provide extra care right from the start. Premature babies have weaker immune systems, making them more prone to infections.
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