Inflammation of the lungs is a serious disease that affects both adults and children, even newborns. That is why every parent should know what are the symptoms of pneumonia in a child. After all, this disease is extremely dangerous, especially at such a tender age. And the sooner treatment is started, the less likely the occurrence of certain complications.
Pneumonia in children and its causes
Before you learn about the symptoms of pneumonia in a child, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main risk factors. The cause of pneumonia is different groups of bacteria and viruses. Moreover, the infection can enter the respiratory tract both directly from the external environment and from other foci of inflammation in the body. For example, often pneumonia is a complication of colds, as well as measles, chickenpox, rubella, etc. In some cases, infection occurs during childbirth - in such cases, signs of inflammation are noticed already in the first days of the baby's life.
On the other hand, the general state of health is of great importance. Children with a weakened immune system, anemia, rickets, diseases of the central nervous system, heart defects, chronic diseases of the respiratory system are more prone to pneumonia.
Classification of pneumonia
To date, there are several classification systems for such a disease. Of course, first of all, doctors pay attention to the nature of the pathogen - pneumonia can be of bacterial, viral and even fungal origin. In addition, depending on the intensity of the symptoms, a severe and mild form of inflammation is distinguished. Pneumonia can affect one lung (then they speak of left- or right-sided inflammation) or it can be bilateral. In addition, the inflammatory process can affect one lobe of the lung (this is lobar pneumonia), several alveoli (alveolar), segments (segmental), etc.
Symptoms of pneumonia in a child
In fact, the main signs, as well as their intensity, depend on both the form of inflammation and the general condition of the child's body. However, at the onset of the disease, body temperature rises (up to 38-39 degrees). Shortness of breath and coughing are also symptoms of pneumonia in a child. Moreover, the cough can be both dry, asphyxiating, and accompanied by sputum production. Along with this, there are also the main signs of intoxication of the body - this is weakness, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite. In some cases, children complain of chest pain. In addition, if you undress and put the child on a horizontal surface, you can notice the skin pulling in between the ribs during breathing - this is a dangerous sign.
As noted earlier, pneumonia is an extremely serious illness. The clinical picture in this case is similar to bronchitis and some other diseases of the respiratory system. Therefore, in case of fever, shortness of breath and coughing, the child should urgently be shown to a pediatrician - only after examination the specialist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis.
Pneumonia treatment
Of course, in this case it is impossible to engage in self-medication - only a doctor can determine the characteristics of therapy. Moreover, it is the doctor who will decide whether to carry out treatment in a hospital. As a rule, antibiotics are prescribed for a child first - this is the only way to get rid of the infection. In addition, doctors also use drugs that eliminate the main symptoms - these are antipyretic drugs, as well as drugs that facilitate the discharge of sputum.