Pneumonia in Children: Symptoms and Signs of Lung Inflammation

Pneumonia is an inflammation of lung tissue in which the alveoli fill with fluid or pus. In children it can begin suddenly or develop gradually over several days, and in newborns it sometimes hardly shows itself at all. Understanding what pneumonia looks like at different ages helps parents notice a worrying turn in time.

What pneumonia in children is and what types exist

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs, most often bacterial or viral. Bacteria are considered the most common cause, but respiratory viruses can also cause inflammation, and then bacterial pneumonia may join the viral one. The fungal form is less common — usually in children with weakened immunity or chronic diseases. Aspiration pneumonia is distinguished separately, when food or liquid enters the airways. Community-acquired pneumonia in children develops outside the hospital, often after a cold or flu. Those at increased risk include children under 2 years old.

Symptoms of pneumonia in a child: what to watch for

The picture resembles a cold, but sounds different. Cough, shortness of breath, high temperature, chest pain, body aches, severe fatigue and loss of appetite are the typical set. Wheezing can be heard during breathing, and infants may make grunting-like sounds. Sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are added. A time reference: a cough that lasts up to 3 weeks, yellow-green sputum, chest pain when breathing or coughing, and a feeling of air shortage are reasons to have the child seen by a doctor.

Signs of lung inflammation in newborns and infants

In newborns and infants there may be no obvious signs of infection at all. Some children simply look lethargic, without energy, others — restless; vomiting, fever and cough are possible. Such a blurred picture is dangerous precisely because it is unnoticeable, so any unusual behavior of an infant is a reason for examination.

Viral and bronchopneumonia: how the manifestations differ

Viral pneumonia often runs a milder course and resolves on its own within several weeks, but sometimes requires treatment in hospital. Bronchopneumonia is called pneumonia; it is another name for the same disease.

How pneumonia in children is diagnosed

Diagnosis can be difficult: the symptoms coincide with acute respiratory viral infections. The doctor takes a history, listens to the lungs with a stethoscope, and if necessary orders a chest X-ray, complete blood count, blood culture, sputum analysis, pulse oximetry, and in complex cases — computed tomography and bronchoscopy.

When a doctor is urgently needed

You should see a doctor the same day for a cough lasting up to 3 weeks, sputum, intermittent chest pain and shortness of breath.

Call 103 or 112 immediately if the child is gasping for air — choking, gasping and unable to speak; the skin, lips or tongue are pale, blue or mottled; blood has appeared in the sputum; the child is suddenly disoriented; the infant cannot be woken or has gone limp.

• The cough lasts up to 3 weeks or yellow-green sputum appears
• Chest pain appears when breathing or coughing
• Shortness of breath has appeared, the child is short of air
• In an infant — lethargy, restlessness, refusal to eat
• The temperature persists and the condition does not improve

This material is for reference: it helps to notice warning signs, but does not replace a doctor's consultation, who will examine the child and decide whether examination and observation are needed.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer