Pneumonia in children is usually much more severe than in adults because it develops very quickly. All because of the child's undeveloped immune system. Find out what are the first symptoms of pneumonia in a child. How do you know if a child has pneumonia?

The symptoms of pneumonia in a childdepend largely on what caused the illness.Pneumoniais most often caused by bacteria or viruses, but fungi can also be the culprit. What symptoms might indicate a child has pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia in a child: symptoms

Viral pneumonia in childrencommon is a consequence of influenza, which is why it is mistaken for it. Even the initial diagnosis, consisting in auscultation of the child, can be misleading, therefore the final diagnosis is based on the results of the X-ray examination. However, there is a group of characteristic symptoms that indicate viral pneumonia in a child:

  • so-called feeling crushed (apathy, lack of appetite)
  • dry cough
  • feeling short of breath
  • chest pain

Bacterial pneumonia in a child - symptoms

Diagnosingbacterial pneumoniais much easier. During the stethoscope examination, you can clearly hear the characteristic murmurs. In addition, there are:

  • general weakness
  • high fever (over 38 degrees Celsius)
  • chills
  • sweating
The following symptoms appear on the part of the respiratory system: dry cough and then a wet cough (with the production of secretions), shortness of breath, chest pain.

Atypical pneumonia - symptoms

Atypical pneumoniadevelops in children for a long time, even several weeks. Initially, it is mild, but after 2-3 weeks the characteristic symptoms are a dry and tiring cough that appears slowly and a slight increase in temperature. The accompanying symptoms are headache, throat, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Fungal pneumonia - symptoms

Children, especially infants, are most often diagnosed with pneumocystosis, which is pneumonia caused by a fungus calledPneumocystis jiroveci .The main symptoms of the disease are:

  • lack of appetite and apathy
  • increasing breathlessness
  • breathing faster
  • increased pressure

There may also be a fever and a cough.

Asymptomatic pneumonia in children

Pneumonia in children does not always have clear symptoms. Some children may suffer from the so-calledasymptomatic pneumonia . Symptoms of this form of the disease are not as pronounced as in other cases, which does not mean that they are not there at all. Sometimes the only symptom of the disease may be worse mood, rapid breathing or an occasional cough. In such a situation, the correct diagnosis can be made only on the basis of the X-ray of the lungs. Therefore, parents of children, especially those under the age of one, should observe their child and be alert to seemingly harmless symptoms, especially during the fall and winter illnesses.

How to recognize pneumonia?

Listen to our drug expert. Katarzyna Bukol-Krawczyk, internist of the Lux Med group.

Category:

Respiratory system