Pneumonia Can Be Deadly If Not Treated Early. Dr Zulfiqar

APP

Hyderabad: During the winter season, many children suffer from pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs typically caused by viral or bacterial infections. Symptoms include a cold, cough, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.

Pneumonia affects deeper lung tissues compared to bronchitis, with distinct signs visible as a white shade in lung and chest X-rays.

Dr Zulfiqar Shaikh, a pediatrician, highlighted pneumonia’s impact on lung health, emphasizing how it can trigger coughs, fevers, and breathing difficulties, potentially leading to severe consequences, even mortality.

Most individuals, both children and adults, experience flu-like symptoms that typically resolve in a few days.

However, in some cases, the infection progresses to more severe lung inflammation, necessitating medical attention and possibly hospitalization.

Treatment for pediatric pneumonia varies based on factors like the child’s health, age, infection cause, and illness severity.

Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections. Hospitalization becomes necessary for cases where breathing issues escalate, requiring interventions like IV fluids, intravenous antibiotics, and nebulizer treatments.

Dr Zulfiqar noted that recovery time depends on pneumonia’s severity, ranging from two to three weeks for mild cases to up to eight or nine weeks for more serious infections.

To mitigate pneumonia risks, vaccination against pneumococcal and influenza, frequent handwashing, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals are recommended. Additionally, ensuring a balanced diet strengthens the immune system, reducing the likelihood of contracting pneumonia.

Home remedies such as offering plenty of healthy fluids like broth or soups and using saline nasal drops can also be effective, aiding in recovery from pneumonia in children.