Pneumonia

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by viruses or bacteria (germs). It can be found either by a doctor listening to the chest or by an X-ray. Pneumonia is not easily passed from one person to another.

What are the possible symptoms?

• Your child may have one or more of these:
• Fever and chills
• Chest or stomach pain
• Trouble or pain with breathing
• Fast breathing
• Not feeling hungry
• Vomiting
• Weakness or tired feeling
• Cough

What is the treatment?

Today there are many types of antibiotics available to treat pneumonia. Most children improve quickly over a few days. However, the cough may last for a week or longer. Your child’s doctor will talk with you about specific care for your child. Some general guidelines to follow include:

• Give antibiotics as ordered by your child’s doctor. NOTE: antibiotics help pneumonia caused by bacteria but not pneumonia caused by a virus.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol or less costly store brand) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or less costly store brand) may be given for fever or pain. Follow the directions on the box carefully or ask your doctor how much medicine to give.

Call your child’s doctor if you

• Does not smile or show interest in play for at least a few
• Wheezes or breathes harder than he did when he
• Your baby is unable to breathe and suck at the same time or chokes when he sucks
• Has a tight feeling in the chest
• Cannot be calmed for at least a few minutes each hour using methods that usually wo
• as holding, rocking, pacifiers or
• Is not better or has a feeling of tiredness and weakness after three days Has a new fever since being seen by the doctor

Please return for increased work of breathing, high fever, or cough. Please follow up in 1-2 days for a recheck.