Pneumonia in a child can be caused by many pathogens, including pneumococci that are dangerous to young children. Microbes that cause pneumonia are much more dangerous for a child's body than for an adult, due to the insufficiently developed immune system of the youngest. Find out what the causes of pneumonia in your child may be.

Fromcauses of pneumonia in the childthe choice of treatment depends.Pneumonia in a childis mainly caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Young children, whose immune systems are not yet sufficiently developed, are particularly vulnerable to their impact. Especially that the infection with microorganisms that cause pneumonia often occurs via droplets.

Pneumonia in a child caused by viruses

Viral pneumonia in childrenis most often caused by viruses such as RSV, influenza, parainfluenza and adenoviruses. As a result, viral pneumonia in children is often a complication of influenza or bronchitis.

Pneumonia caused by viruses most often affects older children - from 4 months to 4 years of age.

Causes of pneumonia in children: bacteria

Bacterial pneumonia in childrenusually results from an effect on the child's immune system of group A streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcus, coronavirus, bacilliHaemophilus influenzae or bacteriaStreptococcus pneumoniae(also known as pneumonia).

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It happens that viruses damage the mucosa of the respiratory tract first, and thus pave the way for bacteria. Then it is referred to as the so-called bacterial superinfection. However, if the bacteria attack on their own, without the viruses first acting, it is referred to as primary bacterial pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia is most often diagnosed in the youngest children - up to 4 months of age.

Pneumonia in children: causes: fungi

It is very rare that fungi are responsible for pneumonia in children. If there is already a fungal infection, pneumocystosis is often diagnosed - inflammationlungs caused by the fungusPneumocystis jiroveci . The disease mainly affects premature babies or infants with muscular dystrophy.

The following fungi can also cause fungal pneumonia:Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformansandAspergillus fumigatus.Fungal pneumoniaposes a direct threat to the life of a sick child.

Atypical pneumonia in children

Atypical pneumoniais caused by a group of atypical pathogens. The microorganisms that cause this disease are mainly gram-negative bacteria, such as rickettsiae, chlamydia and mycoplasmas.

Thechlamydia trachomatis virus is very dangerous,which is the most common cause of pneumonia in newborns. The virus is spread sexually and can infect a baby during delivery.

In older children and adolescents, a common problem ismycoplasma pneumonia , caused by the bacteriumMycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Another atypical gram-negative bacterium that can cause pneumonia isLegionella pneumophila.

Pneumonia in children: other causative agents of the disease

The cause of pneumonia in a child may be food particles entering the child's respiratory system, which later cause local inflammation.

Chemicals or allergic reactions are other factors that can contribute to a child's pneumonia.Chemical pneumoniais the result of chemical substances getting into the fine bronchi and alveoli. Z koeliallergic alveolitisis caused by inhaling a variety of environmental antigens.

It is worth knowing that pneumonia is more common in children who struggle with cystic fibrosis or anatomical defects of the respiratory system.

How to recognize pneumonia?

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

Category:

Respiratory system