Pneumonia is the lungs inflammation caused by an infection. This infection results in the accumulation of pus or fluid in the air sacs or alveoli. Often, infants suffer from either bacterial or viral pneumonia. Mostly, pneumonia occurs during the spring and winter months and it can be a primary illness or a secondary illness after an infant has had an infection in the upper respiratory tract.
Infant Pneumonia Symptoms:
Viral Pneumonia Symptoms in Infants:
Viral pneumonia is the most common cause of infant pneumonia. Often, viral pneumonia is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus or adenovirus. Symptoms in infants may come slowly or rapidly and may range from mild to severe. These symptoms may include moderate to high fever, cough which produces white mucus, labored and rapid breathing and wheezing. A child suffering from pneumonia may be lethargic and irritable and may have a poor appetite.
Bacterial Pneumonia Symptoms in Infants:
Often, group A streptococcus and streptococcus pneumoniae causes bacterial pneumonia in children. Symptoms appear rapidly and are severe in infants. These symptoms include fever, irritability, restlessness, fatigue and rapid heart rate. Other symptoms include labored breathing, rapid breathing and coughing. If a child is suffering from breathing difficulty, he may have flared nostrils and a sinking chest while breathing. An infant with this conditional may also experience diarrhea and vomiting.
Chlamydia Pneumonia Symptoms in Infants:
A bacteria, called C. trachomatis causes sexually transmitted health condition chlamydia. A mother suffering from Chlamydia can transmit this bacteria to the fetus prior to or during the delivery. A child with chlamydia may suffer from pink eye, rapid breathing and persistent cough. Often, the mother will not have fever and may behave as a healthy woman. Usually, chlamydia pneumonia occurs in infants 1 – 3 months old.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Infant Pneumonia:
Physician may perform sputum culture, chest X-ray and blood work for determining the existence of infant pneumonia. Antibiotics are prescribed to an infant if the pneumonia is either due to bacteria or chlamydia. Antibiotics are not effective for viral pneumonia and thus, not prescribed for viral pneumonia. If an infant is suffering from viral pneumonia, certain comfort measures are taken like a cool humidifier is kept in the room and suck the nose with a bulb syringe for removing the nasal discharge. Cold and cough medications are not suggested for children below 4 years.
