X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Signs of pneumonia in children to watch out for

6 min read

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in the Philippines for infants and young children. Fortunately, the disease is preventable and treatable.

Hence, it is crucial for parents to be aware of the simple ways it can be prevented and what signs of pneumonia are to avoid any complications it can bring.

Definition

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs, specifically in one or both air sacs. The sacs may become filled with pus which causes the following signs of pneumonia: fever, labored breathing and chills.

Signs of Pneumonia

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Low fever of 38.5 C or lower
  • General feeling of discomfort
  • Flu- or cold-like symptoms such as sore throat, chills, headache
  • Coughing that is dry and frequent
  • Rapid breathing with wheezing sounds
  • Stomach pain
  • Chest pain
  • Shaking and chills
  • Vomiting
  • Mucus tinged with blood or has a green or rust color
  • Poor feeding (in infants) and decreased appetite (in older kids)

Signs of pneumonia vary depending on what part of the lungs are infected. A middle or top infection may cause labored breathing; an infection on the lower part may cause vomiting, nausea or an upset stomach.

Continue reading to know about what causes pneumonia and how it is transmitted

Causes

Any of the following can cause pneumonia: bacteria, a fungus, viruses or parasites.

For bacteria, the organisms that are responsible for pneumonia are: streptococcus and mycoplasma (mild form of pneumonia referred to as "walking pneumonia").

For viruses, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the culprits.

For those with compromised immune systems, pneumonia can be caused by organisms such as pneumocystis jiroveci. This is responsible for frequent pneumonia bouts in those who have HIV. Hence, a doctor may recommend an HIV test.

Transmission

A child may develop pneumonia by:

  • Breathing pneumonia-infected air or certain bacteria*
  • Having a viral upper respiratory infection such as the cold or flu*
  • Experiencing complications with other diseases such as chicken pox or measles
  • Breathing gastric juices from the stomach and large amounts of food into the lungs; or vomiting into the lungs. This usually occurs in a seizure or stroke

*Note: The nose, even one of a healthy person's, usually houses pneumonia-causing viruses or bacteria. When these spread to the lungs, pneumonia can develop. This occurs more during or after episodes of a cold or chronic diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pneumonia can either be community-associated pneumonia (spread at school or work, for example) or healthcare-associated pneumonia (spread through hospitals). Treatment options for both vary; for this article, we focus on treatments for community-associated pneumonia since kids will most likely get the disease from school instead of a healthcare facility.

Continue reading to know about what risk factors and complications of pneumonia and when you should call the doctor

Risk Factors

  • Weakened immune system. Those with HIV or AIDS who are receiving chemotherapy, long-term steroids and those who have recently undergone an organ transplant
  • Chronic illnesses such heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Age. Pneumonia can be more severe for infants, young children and those 65 year and above. These groups are the ones with compromised immune systems or existing health issues
  • Hospitalization. Those who are in the intensive care unit, especially if on a ventilator

Complications

  • Difficulty breathing. Severe cases of pneumonia may lead to not breathing enough oxygen. In which case, hospitalization is required where the child may be given a ventilator
  • Lung abscess is when pus is present in the lung cavity. This is removed either through antibiotics; or draining or surgery using a long tube or needle
  • Having bacteremia, which is when bacteria is present in the bloodstream. Bacteria in the blood can spread to the lungs, and in some cases causes organ failure
  • Pleural effusion is when fluid accumulates around the lungs. This must be drained immediately to avoid further infection

When to Call the Doctor

One of the signs of pneumonia to monitor is fever. Log the child's temperature every morning and evening. If the fever goes above 38.9 C (for infants six months and older, and children) or 38 C (young infants) then call a doctor.

Continue reading to know about how pneumonia is tested, diagnosed and treated

Tests and Diagnosis

Pneumonia can be diagnosed through a physical examination performed by a doctor, who will listen to a child's breathing and a crackling sound (one of the definite signs of pneumonia).

Other tests to confirm pneumonia are chest X-ray; blood tests; sputum test (when a sample of lung fluid, or sputum, is analyzed); and pulse oximetry (to measure the oxygen level in the blood).

Additional tests that are usually done on older patients or those who have serious health conditions are: chest CT scan and pleural fluid culture (this helps determine the type of infection).

Treatments and Drugs

Antibiotics taken on schedule, as prescribed by the doctor, can kill the bacteria.

Other medicines prescribed to help ease the symptoms and signs of pneumonia are:

  • Cough medicine to help loosen lung fluids
  • Anti-pyretics or fever-reducing medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Avoid giving aspirin to kids since it may cause Reye's syndrome

A child may require hospitalization if:

  • He is younger than 2 months
  • Has difficulty breathing
  • Appears dehydrated
  • He seems excessively sleepy
  • He has low blood oxygen level
  • Has a low temperature than what is normal

Continue reading to know about how pneumonia is treated at home and how it can be prevented

Home Remedies

When the signs of pneumonia are not that severe--such in the case of walking pneumonia--some kids may feel well enough to want to go to school. However, it is highly recommended for a sick child to same home and rest.

Here are things that can be done at home:

  • Offer a child plenty of fluids, including soups such as nilaga or molo, to purge the body of toxins
  • Use a warm compress on the chest area if a child experiences chest pains
  • Ensure that the child sticks to the prescribed medication to ensure that the bacteria is completely eradicated.

Prevention

Once on antibiotics a child with pneumonia has a smaller chance of passing on the bacteria to anyone else at home. Nevertheless, be sure that everyone at home:

  • Washes hands frequently and correctly (following the 20 second rule)
  • Must avoid using the same cups, plates or utensils with the sick child
  • Must have up to date immunizations to prevent other infections
  • Boost a child's immune system by allowing him to get enough sleep, adequate exercise and have a healthy diet

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
Clearing The Air About Colds
Clearing The Air About Colds
Fever Care Tips We Learned From Our Moms
Fever Care Tips We Learned From Our Moms
The Secret to Faster Fever Recovery
The Secret to Faster Fever Recovery

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

theAsianparent Philippines

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Signs of pneumonia in children to watch out for
Share:
  • How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

    How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

  • PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

    PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

  • How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

    How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

  • How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

    How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

  • PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

    PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

  • How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

    How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.