![]() Care at homeĪfter a doctor has diagnosed your child with mild pneumonia, you can usually care for them at home. Antibiotics do not cure viruses and are not given for viral pneumonia. However, recovery can be slower, taking up to four weeks. Viral pneumonia is usually not as severe as bacterial pneumonia. Some children may also need oxygen or extra fluids. Your child may continue to cough for up to three weeks after treatment, but this is nothing to worry about if they are otherwise getting better.Ĭhildren who are very unwell with bacterial pneumonia may be admitted to hospital for antibiotics given directly into a vein through a drip (intravenous or IV therapy). It is very important to complete the whole course of antibiotics, even if your child seems much better. Children with bacterial pneumonia usually improve within 48 hours of starting antibiotics. In mild cases of bacterial pneumonia, this medicine can be taken orally at home. If your child's pneumonia is caused by bacteria, they will be prescribed antibiotics. Treatment for pneumonia Bacterial pneumonia Usually your child won’t need any tests, but sometimes a GP will order a blood test or X-ray to help diagnose pneumonia. You should see your GP if you think your child has pneumonia. pain in the chest, especially when coughing.fast and/or difficult breathing – your child's breathing will become hard work, and you may see the ribs or skin under the neck 'sucking in' or nostrils flaring when they are breathing younger babies may bob their heads when breathing.Children often have one or more of the following: Signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary depending on your child's age and the cause of the pneumonia. Sometimes there may be complications associated with pneumonia, but these are not common, and your doctor will monitor your child for these. Pneumonia often comes after another respiratory infection, such as a cold. The mucus blocks the airways and reduces the amount of oxygen that is able to get into the body. Pneumonia in children can be caused by viruses or bacteria.īecause of the infection, the small airways in the lungs become swollen and make more mucus (sticky fluid). However, if you develop hypoxia or have a lot of difficulty breathing, you may need to spend time in the hospital.Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs, and is sometimes called a chest infection. Again, most people can recover at home by resting and continuing their prescribed medications. The treatment of pneumonia during the red and gray hepatization stages is similar. It is crucial to seek emergency medical care if you experience these symptoms. They indicate hypoxia, which means the oxygen levels in the blood are too low. You’ll typically feel worse during this stage, but treatment can continue to help. This is because many of the red blood cells break down.Īnother important thing that happens is that macrophages, a particular type of immune cell, enter the lungs. The third stage of pneumonia usually happens on days four to six of infection, lasting four to eight days.Īt this point, the lungs continue to resemble the liver. This could minimize the effect of the later pneumonia stages. It’s essential to see a healthcare professional to start treatment as soon as possible. ![]() It’s important to get plenty of rest and drink enough water. ![]() You can also take over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to manage your symptoms and bring down a fever. Viral pneumonia with antivirals, although it’s usually managed with supportive care The recommended treatment for pneumonia depends on whether a virus, bacteria, or fungi are the cause. Most people can manage pneumonia at home, especially during the early stages of infection. Possible symptoms during the congestion stage include:ĭoctors can detect and treat pneumonia during the congestion stage. ![]() Due to these changes, the lungs often feel heavy and congested as fluid builds up in the alveoli. The lungs become inflamed and red due to swelling of the alveoli and engorged blood vessels. At this point, there aren’t enough immune cells in the lungs prepared to fight the infection. It also lasts for about 24 hours.ĭuring the congestion stage, the bacteria or virus has taken hold in the lungs and caused an infection. The first stage of pneumonia occurs around 24 hours after developing an infection in the lungs. ![]()
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