BABY AND CHILDHOOD RESPIRATORY DISORDERS: PNEUMONIA

May 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under: General health

Pneumonia was once a serious disease in children, with a high mortality rate. It is still dangerous, but today, with a wide range of antibiotics available, the death rate has fallen precipitously and the results now are usually good.

But parents should never overlook the symptoms and should take immediate action if they occur. Pneumonia means the air-containing lung substance has become infected; and areas of lung tissue, normally spongy, become filled with fluid and discharge and may even become a solid mass. This reduces the area available for normal exchanges of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Unless relief is imminent, death may result either from suffocation or from the spread of the disease and toxic effects of the organisms involved.

Onset may be rapid, with a rising fever, chills in older children and probably bouts of shivers. Breathing becomes rapid. There may be a cough. Vomiting and diarrhoea may occur. There may be aches and pains and a stiff neck. In older children there may be severe pain present, particularly in the tummy region. Sometimes the sudden onset of symptoms, especially the fever, may lead to convulsions, which are very worrying to parents. There may be obvious breathing difficulty, and the child may grunt when breathing out. Nostrils may be dilated, cheeks flushed, lips possibly a bluish shade (indicating cyanosis).

Treatment

Any infant or child with symptoms of this nature needs immediate expert medical care. Pneumonia may lead on from a simple upper respiratory tract infection, or it may come on suddenly with no relationship to a previous infection. Never forget that normal respiration is essential to good health and if it is in any way jeopardized, for whatever reason, medical help is vital.

Antibiotics have revolutionized treatment of serious lung infections and pneumonia. The sooner this is started the better. So our advice is prompt attention. See the doctor. Do not delay or waste time in trying self-medication. Time lost could spell disaster.

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