Viral Pneumonia in Children

You wake up during the night to hear your child gasping for breath, and you think about the fast breathing you noticed all day long. The thermometer registers 102 degrees for the second day in a row. Your child may have viral pneumonia, a common illness to affect children. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of this common condition so you can take steps to help your child feel better.

Symptoms and Causes

• Pneumonia is a common lung infection that causes the lungs to fill with puss and fluid. This can cause breathing problems, fever, exhaustion and a persistent cough. Chest pain and abdominal pain can also indicate pneumonia is present. Most cases of pneumonia are viral, being caused by the influenza virus or adenovirus, according to Nemours, a child health advocacy group. Children with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can also develop pneumonia. The disease can be caused by bacteria, but this is less common.

Medical Diagnosis

• Children who have signs of viral pneumonia need to be seen by their physician for a complete physical exam. Any child who has severe problems with breathing or chest pain needs to be seen immediately. This is also true if the child's fingers or lips turn blue. The doctor will perform a chest x-ray to confirm the presence of a pneumonia infection. Blood tests are used to determine whether or not the child is receiving sufficient oxygen and to verify the presence of an infection.

Treatment

• Treatment for viral pneumonia varies depending on the child's symptoms. Sometimes your child's doctor may not be able to rule out the possibility of bacterial pneumonia, particularly if your child is very ill. In these cases, even if the pneumonia could be viral, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. If the doctor is certain the pneumonia is not bacterial, treatment will focus on making the child feel as comfortable as possible while the body fights the infection. This includes over-the-counter medication for fevers and pain, plenty of rest and lots of fluids. The children's hospital of Boston recommends the use of a cool mist humidifier to help children breathe while they are resting.

Hospitalization

• While most cases can be treated at home with rest and fluids, sometimes viral pneumonia in children requires hospitalization. The condition often causes a high fever combined with a lack of appetite, which can dehydrate a child. If severe enough, dehydration requires intravenous fluids. Some children need supplemental oxygen while their bodies fight the infection. In young children and babies, the hospital staff may need to suction the child's nose and mouth to remove thick mucus secretions and help the child breathe. Breathing treatments may also be prescribed for the sick child.

Prevention/Solution

• Mayo clinic recommends routine vaccinations as a way to prevent pneumonia, since the infection often comes after another common illness. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps prevent some forms of pneumonia, and is recommended for all babies and any preschoolers who have higher risk for the disease. For others, proper hand washing reduces pneumonia risk. Children need to get plenty or rest and eat a balanced diet to stay healthy. Protect children from lung damage, which makes them susceptible to pneumonia, by keeping them away from second hand smoke.