WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?

WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?

A lower respiratory tract infection known as pneumonia can be brought on by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Usually, it is a bacterial or viral illness of the throat or upper respiratory tract that has spread.

Symptoms of pneumonia typically appear two to three days after the onset of a cold or sore throat.

The amount of time, known as the incubation period, between exposure and the onset of pneumonia symptoms varies depending on the virus or bacterium that is responsible for the illness. For instance, signs of pneumonia in children brought on by a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cold take 4 to 6 days to manifest; in contrast, symptoms of the flu virus show between 18 and 72 hours after exposure.

With the right medications, bacterial pneumonia can last for 1 to 2 weeks. Generally speaking, symptoms should get better a week or so after starting antibiotics. Viral infections cannot be treated with medication, thus viral pneumonia symptoms could continue longer.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia which needs urgent medical attention if your child:

• Is having trouble in breathing or is breathing abnormally fast
• Has a bluish or gray colour to the fingernails or lips
• Has a fever of 102ºF (38.9ºC), or above 100.4ºF (38ºC) in infants under 6 months of age

What causes pneumonia?

Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, Influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Parainfluenza virus are some of the prevalent viruses that cause colds, flu, and other respiratory infections and are responsible for the majority of pneumonia cases.

The contagious viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia can be spread by sneezing, coughing, touching contaminated objects, such as used tissues or shared utensils, or by coming into contact with an infected person's secretions. A person who contracts pneumonia from a sick individual does not inevitably go on to get pneumonia themselves.

Who gets pneumonia?

Pneumonia can affect anyone, but some children are more susceptible than others. Pneumonia in children is more likely to occur when:

• Children with chronic illnesses, such as heart or lung disorders
• Children with asthma
• Infants born prematurely
• Children with a compromised immune system, such as those who are HIV positive

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

• Depending on the child's age and the underlying cause, symptoms might vary, but common ones include:
• Cough
• Fever
• Rapid breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom)
• Breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
• Laboured breathing that causes nasal flaring and makes the rib muscles draw in (muscles under the ribcage or between ribs suck inward with each breath)
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Decreased activity
• Loss of appetite in older kids or poor feeding in infants, which may lead to dehydration
• In extreme cases, bluish or gray colour of the lips and fingernails                                            When pneumonia affects the lower portion of the lungs close to the abdomen, the patient may experience vomiting, nausea, and fever, but little to no breathing difficulties.

What tests are used to diagnose pneumonia?

A diagnosis of pneumonia is typically made by a doctor after evaluating the child and learning about their symptoms. A chest X-ray, blood tests, tests for viruses in nasal secretions, and in some circumstances, bacterial cultures of cough mucus may also be prescribed by the doctor.

How is pneumonia treated?

Children with bacterial pneumonia are often treated with oral antibiotics and allowed to rest and recuperate at home. The kind of antibiotic prescribed depends on the pneumonia kind. Other family members may occasionally have medical treatment to stay healthy.

Within the first two or three days of symptoms, antiviral medicines can be used to treat influenza-related pneumonia. There are no treatments for pneumonia caused by other viruses. Until the body is able to fight off the infection on its own, supportive measures including keeping your child hydrated, managing any temperature, and addressing wheezing or oxygen needs are utilized.