Every year, there are approximately 120 million cases of pneumonia around the world. A large number of cases involve children, and because pneumonia is a serious illness, these children may have to be hospitalized to prevent complications. Even in milder cases, the recovery process can take time.
If your child has been diagnosed with pediatric pneumonia, you can ease some of your worries and keep your child calm when you know what to expect during their recovery. Learn more about pediatric pneumonia and what a diagnosis means.
Understanding Pediatric Pneumonia
Pediatric pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. The infection might start when your child breathes in germs after coming in contact with someone who is sick.
Although any child can catch pneumonia, those who have less robust immune systems, struggle with respiratory issues like asthma, or have other medical conditions are more likely to develop walking pneumonia. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also more susceptible.
A child with pediatric pneumonia can display symptoms such as:
- A cough that produces mucus
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain from coughing
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
- Headaches
The symptoms tend to be the same for viral and bacterial pneumonia. The biggest difference is that viral infections tend to develop more slowly than bacterial ones.
Treatment and Recovery Timeline for Bacterial Pneumonia and Viral Pneumonia
The treatment of pediatric pneumonia will depend on what caused the disease. If your child has a bacterial infection, your pediatrician will prescribe antibiotics. They might also prescribe IV fluids to keep your child well hydrated, especially if they are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
Viral pneumonia is more complex because this disease cannot be treated with antibiotics. Instead, you have to allow the infection to pass on its own. Your child will receive supportive care, including respiratory assistance if the illness is severe.
A number of factors will affect how quickly your child gets over the disease. These include their overall health, their age, the severity of the condition, and how quickly they receive treatment. For most children, however, the recovery process takes between two and four weeks.
Even after the main signs of pneumonia, like violent coughing and fever, have passed, your child still needs time to rest. It can take a while before they are back to their regular self. They may still feel tired and weak, and they could struggle to breathe after exertion. If mucus remains in their airways, their cough could linger for a long time.
If the case of pediatric pneumonia was severe, your child’s lungs might need a bit of time to fully heal. They could continue to wheeze when they get agitated. It can take a few months for all signs of the illness to disappear.
How Long Is Pediatric Pneumonia Contagious For?
Pneumonia is not as contagious as some other respiratory illnesses, but anyone who comes into contact with your child should wash their hands frequently. It’s a good idea to keep your child away from infants and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to experiencing severe forms of the disease, especially if they have a lung condition.
After two to four weeks, any risk of passing on the infection is likely gone. However, if your child’s symptoms persist, reach out to their doctor with any questions about contagion and the recovery timeline.
How to Help Your Child Recover From Pneumonia
The length of the disease will vary for each child. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to speed up the recovery process.
Follow Medication Schedules to the Letter
If your child has bacterial pneumonia, you’ll need to follow a regimen of antibiotics. Never allow your child to skip a dose, even if they’re sleeping. It’s especially important to continue giving them medication until the pediatrician tells you to stop. Sometimes, parents cut the treatment short when their child feels better. This can lead to reinfection.
Offer Plenty of Fluids
Pneumonia can cause diarrhea and vomiting as well as coughing. These symptoms can drain your child’s body of fluid. Give your child water and drinks with electrolytes to replenish the nutrients they have lost. If you’re not sure what hydration options to offer, speak with your child’s pediatrician to see what they recommend.
Encourage Rest
It can be tough for a child to stay in bed, but you should ensure that they do so. They need to get a lot of sleep to help their immune system recover. Even if they’re not sleeping, make sure your child is not up and around too much. Encourage calm activities like drawing, coloring, reading, or watching television.
Use a Humidifier
A humidifier can make breathing a bit easier by adding moisture into the air. It may be particularly helpful if your child has a lot of trouble sleeping through the night because of coughing fits. Humid air is less likely to trigger these spasms.
Keep Them Away From Irritants
Your child’s lungs will be particularly sensitive as they recover from pneumonia. Make sure that they don’t come into contact with secondhand smoke or other similar irritants. Even strong perfumes can prompt a coughing fit and further irritate the lungs.
Provide Healthy Meals and Snacks
Your child’s body needs as much fuel as possible to fight off the illness. Healthy meals and snacks offer a boost of nutrients that can make a difference in their recovery. If your child is struggling to keep food down, remember to stick to BRAT: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
Safeguarding Your Child’s Respiratory Health at Newport Children’s Medical Group
If your little one is dealing with a respiratory infection, give them the best, supportive care by turning to a team of professionals you can trust. At Newport Children’s Medical Group, we offer pediatric pulmonary services to help children recover from challenging respiratory conditions like pediatric pneumonia.
Whether your child has an ongoing medical concern or an acute illness, our pediatric pulmonologists are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.