Pneumonia Symptoms in Kids
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and the alveoli or air sacs in the lungs to fill with pus or other fluid. The most common causes of pneumonia in children are bacteria and viruses. Pneumonia often occurs in the winter and spring months, and can develop after a child has had a cold or an upper respiratory infection.
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Bacterial Pneumonia Symptoms
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In children, bacterial pneumonia is most often caused by streptococcus pneumoniae, staphylococcus aureus and group A streptococcus. The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia in children often rapidly appear; they are more severe in younger kids than in older children. Symptoms can include a moderate to high fever, chills, coughing, rapid breathing and trouble breathing. A child who is having trouble breathing will have flared nostrils and a sinking chest as he breathes. A child with bacterial pneumonia may also be restless and fatigued and refuse to eat. He may have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and complain of abdomen and chest pain.
Viral Pneumonia Symptoms
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Viral pneumonia occurs more frequently than bacterial pneumonia and is often caused by the influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and adenovirus. A child with viral pneumonia often will have first had an upper-respiratory infection. Symptoms of viral pneumonia in children often appear slowly and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include a moderate to high fever and chills, a productive cough with small bits of white mucus, wheezing, and labored, rapid breathing. Many other symptoms of viral pneumonia are also symptoms of bacterial pneumonia.
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Mycoplasma Pneumonia
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One of the most common types of pneumonia in children ages 5 to 12 is mycoplasma pneumonia, often called walking pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is caused by an organism called a mycoplasma, which is different than a bacteria or a virus. Because of this, mycoplasma pneumonia has different symptoms than pneumonia caused by viruses or bacteria. Fever, chills, headache, tiredness, sore throat and a dry, hacking cough are often symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia in kids. Mycoplasma pneumonia often affects children in crowded living conditions.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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A doctor will look at an child's symptoms, examine the child and may take a chest x-ray. He may also take a sputum culture and do blood work to determine if he has pneumonia and what type he has. If a child has bacterial pneumonia, she will be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral or mycoplasma pneumonia. A child with viral or mycoplasma pneumonia can be given medications such as acetaminophen to treat some of the symptoms. Cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 4.
Contagiousness and Prevention
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Viral, bacterial and mycoplasma pneumonia are contagious and are spread through saliva, mucus and nasal discharge. If a child is around someone who is coughing and sneezing, he can get pneumonia. He can also get pneumonia by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils. Teaching a child proper hand washing and how to cover his mouth when he coughs or sneezes will help prevent the spread of pneumonia.
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