Pulmonary pneumonia symptoms in children. Children are subject to hospitalization. Symptomatic and syndromic therapy of childhood pneumonia

Each lung consists of lobes (the right one has three, the left one has two). They, in turn, are divided into segments, which are divided into smaller and smaller sections, down to the alveoli. This is a simplified representation of the structure of the lungs to make it clear what we are talking about.

With pneumonia, the smallest “units” of the lungs, the alveoli, become inflamed. It is in these small bubbles that the process of respiration occurs - the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. With pneumonia, when the alveoli are inflamed, breathing becomes difficult, all organs of the body suffer from a lack of oxygen, which is not the best in the best possible way affects the child's condition.

According to WHO, pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children worldwide. Every year, the disease takes the lives of more than a million babies, accounting for about 18% of child deaths. The disease is especially dangerous for infants under six months of age.

If treatment is not started in time, consequences such as: pleurisy (fluid accumulation between the two membranes of the lungs), pulmonary destruction (tissue destruction), cardiopulmonary failure(circulatory disorders associated with lack of oxygen). These complications often lead to death.

In order to prevent the child from becoming seriously ill, at the slightest suspicion of pneumonia (as well as any other disease), you should go to the doctor.

Pneumonia - very dangerous disease, especially for children

Types of pneumonia

If the symptoms of a child’s illness resemble pneumonia, you should not self-medicate. If a friend treated her baby with a certain antibiotic, you don’t need to believe that it always helps. Pneumonia can be caused by various pathogens, and the drug should be selected based on this.

Pneumonia in children is most often caused by their own microflora (staphylococci, E. coli) with decreased immunity, hypothermia, and pneumococci. Bacterial pneumonia is not contagious, but viral pneumonia, caused by pneumococci, is transmitted by airborne droplets. They also distinguish atypical pneumonia, the causative agents of which are chlamydia and mycoplasma.

The disease is divided into the following types based on lung damage:

focal – a lesion of 1 cm in size is formed;

segmental – one or more segments are affected;

lobar (lobar) – the entire lobe of the lung is affected;

confluent - the union of several small lesions into a larger one.

In addition, pneumonia can be unilateral (left- or right-sided), bilateral.

Causes of the disease

In adults, pneumonia is most often an independent disease, while in children (especially under two years of age) it is a complication after illness, such as influenza or ARVI. The condition plays a major role in the occurrence of pneumonia immune system– the weaker it is, the greater the risk of disease.

As for the development of pneumonia, the smaller the child, the more difficult it is. The reason for this is age-related physiological characteristics. In newborn children, the lung tissue is not sufficiently formed, the airways are thin and weak. Therefore, diseases respiratory system In children they develop quickly, the condition can rapidly deteriorate. Children under three years of age are often treated in a hospital (in mild cases, treatment at home is possible); children under six months old are required to be under 24-hour medical supervision.

Some medical conditions increase your risk of developing pneumonia. Among them: malnutrition, rickets, Iron-deficiency anemia, diseases of the central nervous system, heart defects, immune system deficiency.

Atypical pneumonia

This is a special type of disease that most often occurs in children aged six months to five years. Pneumonia is caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma. It proceeds differently than the usual form. Accordingly, the treatment is completely different.

Symptoms atypical pneumonia resemble a respiratory disease: the child experiences sneezing, sore throat, and runny nose. There may be no temperature at all. The cough is dry, debilitating, as happens with acute bronchitis. Wheezing in the lungs also has its own characteristics. Diagnosing the disease and selecting an antibiotic in the case of atypical pneumonia is difficult - in order to prescribe effective treatment, a sputum test is taken. On early stages This disease is difficult to identify - this is its danger.

Atypical pneumonia is diagnosed differently than regular pneumonia

Signs of pneumonia in children under one year old

Symptoms of the disease differ depending on what pathogen it is caused by. Also, the course of the disease differs depending on the age and state of the child’s immune system. Most often in children younger age The following symptoms of pneumonia occur.

Temperature increase. Body temperature can rise to 39.5 degrees, although sometimes it does not exist at all. The peculiarity of the disease is that attempts to reduce the temperature are either ineffective or give short-term results (only for a couple of hours).

Decreased appetite. Almost all children begin to refuse food. Breast babies They ask for the breast, but they need it more to calm them down - they suck milk sluggishly. This applies not only to pneumonia - lack of appetite in children is a signal of health problems.

Disruption of the central nervous system. When a child suffers from pneumonia, his behavior completely changes. Drowsiness, unusual calmness, or, conversely, agitation and tearfulness are possible.

In children, signs typical of “adult” pneumonia, such as severe cough and chest pain, may be completely absent. In the first days of the disease, wheezing in the lungs is not detected. For these reasons, diagnosing the disease in children is difficult.

Symptoms of the disease in children

Pneumonia is accompanied by fever

Fever. Temperature may rise in varying degrees. In some children it reaches 39.5 degrees, in others – 37.2. Sometimes there is also a lack of temperature. However, unlike influenza and ARVI, it is difficult to bring it down, and besides, it only helps for a short time - after a couple of hours, hyperthermia returns.

Rapid breathing. Shortness of breath is the most common sign of pneumonia not only in children, but also in adults. The disease is indicated by:

more than 60 breaths in a newborn (up to two months);

more than 50 breaths in babies under one year old;

more than 40 breaths in children over one year old.

Skin retraction. In children with pneumonia, the skin in the rib area almost always sag. This is easy to notice if you undress the child - changes in the relief of the skin in the area of ​​the ribs during breathing are clearly noticeable.

Cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle. In children, the area between the lips and nose often turns blue with pneumonia. Blue discoloration is clearly expressed when the baby sucks at the breast, cries, sneezes, or coughs.

First of all, the symptoms of toxicosis appear - poor appetite, lethargy or agitation, tearfulness. Body temperature also rises, the wings of the nose swell, breathing and pulse quicken. A cough may appear only on the fifth day of the disease.

School-age children and teenagers get sick just like adults. Usually it all starts with symptoms of a general ARVI, after a few days there is an improvement, and treatment is stopped in a timely manner. After another couple of days, the temperature rises, a cough and chest pain appear.

If pneumonia is caused by Friedlander's bacillus, the characteristic symptoms of pneumonia are accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. The cough begins in the first days of illness. Typically, such pneumonia occurs as an epidemic in children's groups.

In newborns, hospital-acquired pneumonia usually occurs (signs of the disease appear in the first 72 hours of life), but the possibility of intrauterine infection cannot be ruled out - in this case, the cause of the disease is an infection of the maternal body.

Pneumonia can be noticed by any attentive mother. Signals of a serious illness are: increased temperature that lasts more than three days, severe shortness of breath, asymmetric wheezing in the lungs. Under no circumstances should you treat pneumonia yourself; only a doctor should prescribe medications. Usage traditional methods It will only take away precious time, but will have no effect.

Diagnosis of the disease

When listening and tapping the lungs, the doctor finds the following signs of pneumonia: wheezing, characteristic of this disease; at the site of inflammation, breathing is weak or not audible at all. An x-ray shows a darkened area of ​​the lung; a blood test shows inflammatory process.

The doctor conducts a comprehensive diagnosis

When making a diagnosis, the doctor focuses not only on the clinical picture and test data, but also on the result of an X-ray examination of the lungs. In children, especially small children, microbiological examination data cannot be taken into account as an accurate result, since the wrong microorganism that caused pneumonia may be sown from the sputum and nasopharynx.

Treatment of pneumonia

In children, as in adults, pneumonia is treated symptomatically, that is, all signs of the disease and foci of inflammation are eliminated. Despite the information below, under no circumstances should you self-medicate - you should consult a doctor. It is also prohibited to use folk remedies- not only will they not give you what you need therapeutic effect and time will be lost, we should not forget that modern children are often allergic, and can respond to herbal treatment in a completely unpredictable way.

If you have pneumonia, you should never self-medicate

In order to remove the source of inflammation, doctors prescribe a course of antibiotics. Despite the fact that these drugs negatively affect the immune system and gastrointestinal tract of even an adult, not to mention children, it should be understood that it is impossible to cure pneumonia without antibiotics. The type of drug and dose are determined by the doctor depending on the age of the child, the causative agent of the disease and the severity.

The following groups of antibiotics are mainly used to treat children: penicillin, semisynthetic penicillins (amoxiclav, amoxicillin, ampicillin, etc.), macrolides (rovamycin, erythromycin, azithromycin, etc.), cephalosporins (cefuroxime, cephalexin, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, etc. .d.). IN severe cases pneumonia is treated with aminoglycosides and imipinemas. Sometimes drugs from different groups are combined.

Sputum analysis, which allows identifying the pathogen, lasts more than one day, so the doctor prescribes the drug by studying the child’s medical card and focusing on the clinical picture. If after 48 hours (in acute conditions– 24 hours) no improvement in general condition, in the X-ray picture, the antibiotic is changed.

Elimination of the symptoms of the disease, aimed at improving the well-being of the sick child, is also important. To do this, the doctor prescribes antipyretic drugs and mucolytic drugs that facilitate the discharge of sputum.

Mucolytic drugs also enhance the effect of antibiotics. These include drugs based on acetylcysteine ​​(mucomist, ACC, mucobene, fluimucil), derivatives of the alkaloid vazicin (bisolvone, bromhexine, mucosalvan). Despite the fact that such drugs seem harmless, only a doctor should prescribe them, taking into account the possibility of combining certain drugs.

If a child has a fever, you do not need to bring it down immediately when you see a mark of 37 degrees. An elevated temperature helps the body fight microbes, so it is worth bringing it down only when it is more than 38 degrees. This recommendation does not apply to children under one year of age or to those who have previously had low-grade seizures.

All doctor's prescriptions must be strictly followed.

Treatment at home and in hospital

Many parents worry that treatment will take place in a hospital. However, treatment at home is also possible. The following factors are taken into account when making a decision.

Child's age. In infants, pneumonia is a serious threat to life. If the child is under three years old, the doctor suggests hospital treatment. You should not refuse this: the consequences of the disease in children can be different, up to a sudden stop of breathing. To prevent this from happening, it is better for the child to be under the supervision of doctors around the clock until recovery.

The child's condition. If a child over three years old is sick, his state of health is taken into account when choosing the form of treatment. For example, if you have a weak immune system or have chronic diseases, you may be offered to stay in a hospital for treatment.

Type of pneumonia and severity of the disease. If a child has simple focal pneumonia, treatment can be done at home. But it is dangerous to treat lobar (lobar) at home - it is fraught with serious complications.

It is these factors that influence the decision to hospitalize a child with pneumonia.

Treatment can be carried out at home, but under the supervision of a doctor

Duration of treatment

How long treatment will last depends not only on the age of the child, the type and severity of pneumonia, but also on the characteristics of the body. In uncomplicated cases, antibiotic treatment lasts 7-10 days.

If the disease has a complex course, there are complications, and also in cases of atypical pneumonia, treatment may be longer. Sometimes pneumonia is treated with antibiotics for a month. The duration of treatment is determined only by the doctor.

If treatment was started in a timely manner, there are no complications and the drugs are prescribed correctly, complete recovery (until the symptoms completely disappear) occurs in about a month. If you self-medicate and do not seek help from a specialist, the consequences can be very dire.

Caring for a sick child

Of course, it is very important to follow all your doctor's instructions regarding medicinal drugs. But besides this, the patient needs to provide proper care, healthy eating. All this will help you heal faster.

Because antibiotics have a negative impact on work digestive system, which is already weak in children, it is necessary to provide light, but at the same time healthy and high-calorie nutrition. Children should not be introduced to new foods at this time, and older children should be given boiled meat, cereals, vegetable soups, fruits, and vegetables. Heavy, fatty foods are unacceptable. However, when a child is recovering and asks for a certain dish, you should not limit him in this desire. During treatment with antibiotics, you need to take enzyme preparations.

A sick child needs careful care

The child must receive enough fluids. At the age of three, the amount of fluid per day should reach three liters. You can give clean water(not carbonated), juices, tea, compote, milk. If children do not drink enough fluids, high temperatures may lead to dehydration, which will affect the entire body. In addition, sufficient fluid intake improves sputum discharge.

With infants the situation is more complicated. For every kilogram of weight there should be 150 ml of liquid. If the baby is on breastfeeding, it's hard to track. But if he suckles well and urination is normal, it means there is enough milk. If a baby has a poor appetite and does not want to suckle milk, he needs to be fed with a spoon. But since such children are in a hospital, you don’t have to worry too much about this - if necessary, fluid will be administered intravenously.

Of course, it is difficult to put children to bed, but with pneumonia this is a prerequisite for recovery. If you have a fever, you must stay in bed. You don't have to lie down - you can sit. You need to ensure that bed linen and clothes are clean. You should not dress your child too warmly. You will have to forget about swaddling during the illness - breathing is already difficult, and wrapping it worsens the condition even more. The chest and head should be slightly raised, for this you can add an additional pillow.

The environment should be calm - no guests, bright lights, loud conversations. It is recommended to maintain the temperature in the room at 20-22 degrees. The room is ventilated several times a day. At this time, the child should be in another room. If this is not possible, then the patient should be covered with a warm blanket and the children should be dressed. Under no circumstances should there be drafts. In summer, it is recommended to go out to the balcony with your child - fresh air is very important for pneumonia.

Children with pneumonia must be bathed. But not in the bath, but under the shower, for a few minutes. If the condition is severe, the child should simply be wiped with a damp towel.

Physiotherapy

Special therapeutic exercises have a positive effect on the speed of recovery. In addition, it helps to avoid complications. Gymnastics is a must for all children over three years of age.

Therapeutic exercises will help get rid of the disease

The simplest thing is turning in bed, which begins from the very first hours of the disease. Pneumonia is usually accompanied by unpleasant (and even painful) sensations in the chest, on the side where the inflammatory process is located. Therefore, patients, both children and adults, try to sleep on the opposite side to reduce discomfort. However, because of this, they may develop adhesions, resulting in the formation of pleural adhesions.

The child must be turned from one side to the other, as well as onto his back, from time to time. Even if he is already a teenager, you still need to control the process.

On approximately the third day of illness, you can begin breathing exercises. When performing the exercise, the patient should place his hands on his stomach and take deep breaths at least fifteen times. When the child feels better and begins to get out of bed, it is necessary to do the following exercise: take a deep breath, slowly raise your arms, and lower them while exhaling deeply. The exercise is repeated at least ten times.

All these activities are included in the dispensary observation system. After suffering from acute pneumonia, the pediatrician should monitor the child’s condition for another year. A blood test is taken approximately every two months. If there is a suspicion of a chronic process in the lungs, a chest X-ray examination is prescribed. The condition of the body is also monitored by other specialists: an immunologist, an allergist, a pulmonologist, an ENT specialist.

Vaccinations against pneumonia

In children over two years of age, the main cause of pneumonia is pneumococcus. The disease caused by these microorganisms is contagious and transmitted by airborne droplets. After recovery, immunity to the transferred pneumococcal serotype remains. The pneumonia vaccine contains bacterial antigens of the most common serotypes.

Today, about a hundred serotypes of pneumococcus are known, a quarter of which are constantly transmitted from one person to another. The goal of vaccination is to reduce the mortality rate from pneumonia. Vaccination forms immunity in the body, but for a short time: up to five years.

The most famous vaccines against pneumonia are Pneumo-23 (France) and Prevenar (USA). The first is given to children over two years old, the second - from two months. Vaccines are administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Adverse reactions may be: swelling, redness, pain at the injection site. A small number of vaccinated people develop a fever on the first day. Local manifestations usually disappear after a couple of days.

In our country, debates continue about whether it is advisable to do this vaccine. It is not included in the list of mandatory ones, but doctors recommend doing it to children with weak immunity. In several dozen countries around the world, all children are vaccinated against pneumonia. mandatory. In any case, it is unacceptable to make a decision on the introduction of a particular vaccine on your own - you should definitely consult with your doctor and immunologist.

Prevention of pneumonia

First of all, the child must have good immunity. This directly depends on the diet and daily routine, which many parents neglect. Children should receive fresh fruits, vegetable dishes, dairy products, and meat daily. Infants - mother's milk.

The child’s diet should be designed in such a way that the body receives all the vitamins, micro- and macroelements it needs. If the child does not receive enough nutrients, his immune system suffers, and the body cannot fight pathogens.

The daily routine for children is very important. If a child is put to bed either at nine o'clock or at twelve, and allowed to do whatever he wants during the day, the body will constantly experience stress. Therefore, the child must be put to bed strictly at a certain time ( nap must be), distribute time for studying and playing. Children should not be very tired.

Pneumonia - serious illness, which can lead to serious consequences. If you suspect pneumonia, you should not hesitate or self-medicate - you should immediately call a doctor. If you start treatment on time, you can defeat pneumonia without complications - this is true for any disease.

Pneumonia, also known as pneumonia, has always been considered dangerous disease even for adults. What can we say about the child? Even now, despite the development of the pharmaceutical industry and the invention of a new generation of antimicrobial drugs, it has a high percentage of complications and ranks 4th among other causes of mortality after heart disease, oncology, and poisoning.

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms of pneumonia in children do not always appear immediately. The disease is insidious, it can hide for some time, then suddenly make itself known. Sometimes it disguises itself as a common cold.

But it is much worse when there are no respiratory signs (latent pneumonia). Losing time can result in serious consequences, complications, and death. That is why parents must know how to recognize pneumonia in a child, have an understanding of bright and subdued signs, and what to pay attention to.

Main symptoms:

1. Temperature. The sign is too vague, as it often manifests itself in other health problems. Suspicion should arise if it is above 38°C for more than three days in a row. In some forms, the temperature rises to 40-41°C.
2. Cough. It is usually deep, severe, and worsens at night.
3. Swelling of the lower extremities, blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle. They are a consequence of circulatory disorders.
4. Anxiety, nervousness, moodiness or unreasonable lethargy, drowsiness. Occurs when the central nervous system is damaged. In this case, it will not be possible to cope with whims through cunning or other psychological approaches.
5. Shortness of breath. Pneumonia should be suspected if the child grunts, breathes quickly, tenses, and uses the facial muscles. In children under one year of age, breathing is considered rapid with a frequency of more than 60 breaths per minute. Breathing for pneumonia over the age of 1.5 years is about 50 times in 60 seconds.
6. Loss of body weight, lack of appetite. Regular refusal of food. Sometimes weight loss occurs rapidly.
7. Chills, increased sweating.

Rarely does the disease cause only one of the symptoms. With careful observation, you can identify up to 4-5 different signs, but they are all individual. If the slightest suspicion arises, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Can a child have pneumonia without fever?

An increase in body temperature does not always occur, which complicates the diagnosis of the disease. In this case, it is often confused with the common cold. Subsequently, this results in serious complications from internal organs. Also, the absence of temperature indicates weakness of the body, the inability to resist the disease.

Signs of pneumonia in a child without fever:

• persistent cough;
• shortness of breath;
• blueness, pallor of the face;
• change in behavior;
• refusal of food.

Sometimes with pneumonia, fever appears after several days or even weeks. The reason for this reaction of the body in most cases is irrational use antibacterial drugs.

Pneumonia or bronchitis?

The symptoms of respiratory system diseases are similar. These are mainly cough, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite and changes in behavior. Therefore, the question often arises of how to distinguish bronchitis from pneumonia.

In fact, doing this at home is extremely difficult, almost impossible. During the examination, specialists will also not be able to immediately determine accurate diagnosis, they will only make their assumptions and send you to a hospital or for examination.

What you need to pay attention to:

• what is the temperature, how long does it last, fluctuations;
• nature of the cough (superficial, deep, dry, wet, time of intensification);
• breathing (deep, shallow, whistling);
• stool (color, consistency, regularity);
• presence and color of sputum, if released.

It is advisable to record all the data on paper so as not to confuse anything. Based on these records, it will be more convenient for the doctor to track the dynamics and make a preliminary diagnosis, which will subsequently save time and help begin treatment faster.

How common is it in premature babies?

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), congenital pneumonia occurs in 10% of cases in premature babies. Moreover, this indicator does not depend on the degree of development of countries or the environmental situation. First of all, the catastrophic figures are explained by the failure of the body’s internal systems. Babies born between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy are especially vulnerable.

The symptoms of congenital pneumonia in premature newborns depend on the type of infection: intrauterine, prenatal or postpartum, as well as anatomical and physiological characteristics. Intrauterine infection often causes developmental delays, pathologies, and disability.

Diagnostics

The most common method for diagnosing pneumonia is x-ray. It shows the places of darkening, the nature of the lesions and affected areas, the severity of the disease, if any. But X-ray examination is not perfect. Its use is limited by high radiation exposure to the children's body.

To determine pneumonia in a child, they also use:

• biochemical blood tests that detect the level of glucose and liver enzymes;
• general blood analysis;
• microbiological blood test;
• sputum bronchoscopy.

Diagnostic methods are selected individually, depending on the patient’s age, symptoms, duration and severity of the condition. If the disease proceeds without fever with cough, the child’s condition does not improve, the body is weakened, additional tests may be prescribed to examine sputum.

Classification

It is difficult to recognize pneumonia, but it is even more difficult to determine its type. It is distinguished according to several characteristics: place of origin, localization, form, etiology and course. Depending on the identified form, drug treatment is prescribed.

By place of origin

• Community-acquired

There is community-acquired pneumonia, which is also called outpatient pneumonia, home pneumonia. That is, the disease did not appear within the walls of a medical institution.

• Hospital

And they distinguish between hospital-acquired pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia). It appears in children in medical institution 2-3 days after hospitalization.

• Aspiration

This also includes the aspiration form, which is a consequence of foreign substances entering the lungs with pathogens. For example, vomit may enter during surgery or loss of consciousness.

According to the form of the disease

• Focal pneumonia

In most cases, it is a complication of acute or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, characterized by darkening of areas of the lungs (foci). May occur in postoperative period when the body is exhausted. It begins with chills, an increase in temperature to 38-38.5°C. The cough is dry, sometimes purulent sputum appears after a few days. Possible chest pain.

• Segmental pneumonia

In terms of characteristics, it is practically no different from the focal species, but has a large scale. This type affects one lung or segment.

• Lobar pneumonia

Most often, children of preschool and school age are susceptible to this type of disease. At 2-3 years of age it occurs extremely rarely. This species is characterized by: high temperature 39-40°C, cyclical course, chills, headaches, vomiting. The cough is short and causes pain in the chest.

• Interstitial

One of the complex and severe forms of the disease. It is characterized by progressive inflammatory changes in the lungs. It can have different causes: viruses and fungi, poisoning with toxic substances, drug intolerance, radioactive exposure.

According to the course of the disease

Determined by the duration and severity of symptoms. There are only two forms:

• Acute pneumonia

An inflammatory process with vivid manifestations and symptoms, in most cases it has infectious origin. The main pathogens are pneumococci, mycoplasma, streptococcus. Less commonly, it has other causes. Duration up to 4-6 weeks.

• Protracted

A sluggish form that can develop with focal or segmental inflammation of the lungs. Duration more than 4-6 weeks.

By etiology

Types of pneumonia are also divided by etiology of origin. It is she who has the main influence on the choice of drug treatment. You can guess the pathogen by how pneumonia begins in children. But the exact result will be known only after a laboratory blood test.

• Atypical pneumonia

This includes chlamydial pneumonia, mycoplasma pneumonia, and legionella pneumonia. Symptoms depend on the pathogen.

Chlamydia disease is often disguised as otitis media, laryngitis, and bronchitis. It is characterized by a low temperature of 37-38°C, muscle pain, drowsiness and general weakness.
With mycoplasma inflammation, the main symptoms are: sore throat, weakness, dry cough and headache.
Legionella is not transmitted from person to person. The first 10 days are considered incubation. If the immune system is weakened, the period is reduced to 2 days. By this time, initially asymptomatic pneumonia develops the first signs: headache, weakness. Then the temperature rises sharply to 40-41°C.

• Bacterial

Called pathogenic microorganisms. The alveolar sacs become inflamed, mucus, pus and fluid accumulate in them, which prevent the full exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Pathogens:

• Klebsiella;
• Staphylococcus aureus (destructive pneumonia);
• Pneumococcus;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Symptoms and severity of the disease directly depend on the pathogen.

• Viral pneumonia

The disease is caused by: parainfluenza virus, cytomegalovirus, rotavirus, measles virus, chickenpox, influenza A, B. The first three days a viral infection develops, then a bacterial infection occurs. The complexity of this form is that the first symptoms are disguised as a cold: chills, fever, cough and runny nose, headache. Incorrect treatment and prolonged diagnosis often lead to worsening of the condition and complications.

By location

• Right-handed

This species is more common than all others due to the close location of the main bronchus. The infection quickly descends, the symptoms are pronounced, bright, there is severe shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, the patient does not have enough air. The bronchial form of pneumonia may have areas with at different stages diseases.

• Left-handed

This form is characterized by smoothed symptoms and moderate intoxication. Diagnosis and study of lesions in the lower and posterior part of the lung is complicated by the close location of the heart. Therefore, if this species is suspected, computed tomography is often used for examination.

• Double sided

A complex form of the disease, which often indicates a decrease in immune defense body. Often a consequence of artificial ventilation. This form is characterized by severe shortness of breath, wheezing, and intoxication. The disease requires immediate hospitalization and urgent treatment, since part of the healthy lung tissue is reduced.

• Hilar pneumonia

The source of inflammation is located in the hilar region of the lung. In most cases, pneumonia in children of this form is caused by pneumococci. It can be right-sided or left-sided, the symptoms in this case vary. General signs: cough with copious sputum, sweating, high fever, weakness.

Treatment in hospital

Treatment of pneumonia in children in most cases is carried out in a hospital, as it requires an integrated approach, regimen, and constant monitoring.

Main indications for hospitalization:

• age up to 3 years;
• respiratory failure;
• disturbance of blood supply;
• chronic pneumonia;
• developmental defects, disabilities;
• complications of the disease.

This also includes the dysfunctional status of the family. If the local pediatrician (or another doctor who arrived on call) doubts the family’s ability to cure the child, then it is wiser to go to the hospital. How long people stay in the hospital with pneumonia primarily depends on the type of disease, course, and the presence or absence of complications.

Antibacterial therapy

Antibiotics for pneumonia in children are always prescribed first and foremost. As soon as the patient is admitted to the hospital, and there are no test results yet, the doctor, in order not to waste time, can prescribe a broad-spectrum antibacterial drug (Sumamed, Ceftriaxone, Suprax).

Next, the antibiotic is selected individually, taking into account the obtained tests. In hospital settings, injections are preferred. Modern and most effective drugs against a specific pathogen are selected with minimal side effects. But it is important to understand that after treatment with new generation drugs, children’s bodies become less sensitive to antibacterial drugs of previous versions.

Attention! Allergic reactions to antibiotics are very common, especially in young patients. Therefore, antihistamines are included in therapy.

Symptomatic therapy

Symptomatic therapy is intended to eliminate the manifestations of the disease, alleviate the condition and speed up recovery.

May include:

• antipyretic drugs;
• antihistamines;
• expectorants, mucolytic drugs;
• bronchodilators;
• anesthetics.

Weakened children may need multivitamins, immunomodulators and other restoratives.

Physiotherapy

Every doctor besides antibacterial therapy prescribes physiotherapy. They are aimed at accelerating recovery, maintaining the immune system, and reducing the risk of complications.

What procedures are prescribed:

1. Inhalations. Ultrasonic nebulizers are used in medical institutions. To eliminate shortness of breath and wheezing, Berodual and Pulmicort are prescribed. To remove sputum, expectorants and mineral water are used.
2. Electrophoresis with antibiotics and drugs of other groups. Prescribed to eliminate wheezing and get rid of phlegm.
3. Pulsed UHF therapy. Prescribed to stimulate blood supply, reduce inflammation, and reduce swelling.
4. Chest massage. Prescribed for bronchial drainage.
5. Therapeutic exercise, breathing exercises.

Physiotherapy procedures have a number of contraindications: the presence of malignant tumors, fever, poor blood clotting, neurotoxicosis. Therefore, the complex is always selected individually.

How long does it take to treat pneumonia?

How long pneumonia is treated in children depends on the severity of the disease, the pathogen and the adequacy of therapy. The first improvements in the condition are usually noticeable on the 3rd day of taking antibiotics: the temperature drops, breathing becomes smoother.

Full recovery with mild form maybe in 3 weeks. In severe forms, the duration of therapy can be 48-60 days. Rehabilitation after pneumonia lasts from 2 to 3 months.

Treatment at home

Whether pneumonia can be treated at home directly depends on the patient’s age and the course of the disease. The focal form in many cases does not require hospitalization; it can be dealt with independently, but regular consultations and examinations by a doctor are required. If the disease occurs in a child 3 years of age or younger, then hospitalization is required.

Antibiotics, when treating pneumonia, must be taken with prebiotics to maintain the balance of intestinal microflora

At home, treatment of children also consists of antibacterial and symptomatic therapy. At focal form Penicillin group drugs (for example, Flemoxin Solutab) are often sufficient. Additionally, expectorants, antipyretics, and antihistamines are administered. The pediatrician will determine how to treat the child in each individual case.

Important! When treating children with antibiotics, prebiotics are additionally administered. They will help prevent dysbiosis and disruption of intestinal microflora. Popular drugs: Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Linex, Acipol, Bifiliz.

Carefully! Do no harm!

The desire to help a child’s body cope with an illness, the advice of others and unverified information often become the cause of inappropriate behavior of parents. Some actions can cause serious complications.

1. Warming up. We are talking about common home methods: jars, mustard plasters, and now special patches have appeared. This also includes compresses, the need for which should be consulted with your doctor.
2. Independently prescribe or change the group of antibacterial drugs, use analogues.
3. Self-prescribe cough medicine. Harmless at first glance, Pertusin, some other syrup or tablets can cause unpleasant consequences.

It is undesirable to lead an active lifestyle, visit public places, gardens, playgrounds before full recovery. The patient needs bed rest. Quiet games are used for leisure time. Increased activity can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and severe coughing.

The disease is transmitted, but in very rare forms. More often you can get a respiratory infection, which will develop into a complication. Pneumonia rarely passes from person to person; more often it is a secondary disease.

How is pneumonia transmitted:

• by airborne droplets;
• through personal hygiene items, toys, and other things.

The incubation period in older children lasts several days. In a newborn baby, it may last for several weeks.

Recovery

It will not be possible to restore a child after pneumonia in a short time. Severe illness and antibiotic use will leave their mark. It is very important in the coming months to prevent hypothermia and avoid crowded places. Any infection can lead to a recurrence or complication.

Main directions of rehabilitation:

• training and maintaining breathing rhythm;
• strengthening the immune system with folk remedies and medicines;
• acceleration of exudate resorption.

Cough after pneumonia may continue for several weeks even after complete recovery. But it should not cause pain. Dry, barking cough with difficult to separate sputum should alert you. In this case, you need to consult a doctor.

Preventive measures

Pathways to pneumonia in children great amount. It is impossible to protect a person from contact with surrounding, foreign objects, soil, and water. But everyone can take a number of measures to help reduce the likelihood of getting sick.

Prevention:

1. Taking vitamins and restoratives aimed at increasing immunity.
2. Daily walks in the fresh air, ventilation of the room.
3. Isolation of sick people, own space in the house, maintaining a microclimate.
4. Breathing exercises. It consists of deep inhalations and exhalations, inflating balloons. This type of prevention is suitable for children over three years of age.
5. Massage. Suitable for any age. It consists of patting the chest area and rubbing.
6. Personal hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands with soap. After visiting public places, it is recommended to rinse or irrigate your nose with salt water, by special means(Aquamaris, Aqualor).
7. Vaccination. Indicated for children who are susceptible to frequent bronchopulmonary diseases.

It is equally important to choose the right places for walking and playing. We need to protect children from tobacco smoke, which has a detrimental effect on the lungs and the body as a whole. If the area is polluted, it is advisable to go out into nature as often as possible and walk in the fresh air.

Pneumonia should be understood as an acute or chronic infectious-inflammatory process that develops in the lung tissue and causes a syndrome of respiratory distress.

Pneumonia is a serious disease of the respiratory system in children. The incidence is sporadic, but in rare cases, outbreaks of the disease may occur among children in the same group.

The incidence rate of pneumonia in children under 3 years of age is about 20 cases per 1 thousand children of this age, and in children over 3 years old - about 6 cases per 1 thousand children.

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia is a polyetiological disease: for different age groups Various pathogens of this infection are more typical. The type of pathogen depends on the condition and on the conditions and location of children with the development of pneumonia (in a hospital or at home).

Pneumonia can be caused by:

• pneumococcus – in 25% of cases;
• – up to 30%;
• chlamydia – up to 30%;
• (golden and epidermal);
• coli;
• fungi;
• mycobacterium;
• hemophilus influenzae;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• pneumocystis;
• legionella;
• viruses (parainfluenza, adenovirus).

Thus, in children aged from the second half of life to 5 years old who fall ill at home, pneumonia is most often caused by Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcus. In children of preschool and primary school age, pneumonia can be caused by mycoplasma, especially during the transitional summer-autumn period. In adolescence, chlamydia can cause pneumonia.

When pneumonia develops outside a hospital setting, the patient's own (endogenous) bacterial flora located in the nasopharynx is more often activated. But the pathogen can also come from outside.

Factors contributing to the activation of one’s own microorganisms are:

• development ;
• hypothermia;
• aspiration (entry into the respiratory tract) of vomit during regurgitation, food, foreign body;
• in the child’s body;
• Congenital heart defect;
• stressful situations.

Although pneumonia is primarily a bacterial infection, it can also be caused by viruses. This is especially true for children in the first year of life.

With frequent regurgitation in children and possible entry of vomit into the respiratory tract, pneumonia can be caused by both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Pneumonia can also be caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi, and in rare cases, Legionella.

Pathogens enter the respiratory tract and from the outside, through airborne droplets (with inhaled air). In this case, pneumonia can develop as a primary pathological process(lobar pneumonia), and may be secondary, occurring as a complication of the inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract (bronchopneumonia) or in other organs. Currently, secondary pneumonia is more often recorded in children.

When infection penetrates into the lung tissue, swelling of the mucous membrane of the small bronchus develops, as a result of which the supply of air to the alveoli becomes difficult, they collapse, gas exchange is disrupted, and oxygen starvation develops in all organs.

There are also hospital-acquired (nosocomial) pneumonias, which develop in a hospital setting during treatment of a child for another disease. The causative agents of such pneumonia can be “hospital” strains resistant to antibiotics (staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, Klebsiella) or microorganisms of the child himself.

The development of hospital-acquired pneumonia is facilitated by the antibacterial therapy the child receives: it has a detrimental effect on the normal microflora in the lungs, and instead of it, flora alien to the body populates them. Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs after two or more days of hospital stay.

Pneumonia in newborns in the first 3 days of life can be considered a manifestation of hospital pneumonia, although in these cases it is difficult to exclude intrauterine infection.

Pulmonologists also distinguish lobar pneumonia, caused by pneumococcus and involving several segments or the entire lung lobe with transition to the pleura. More often it develops in preschool and school age children, rarely up to 2-3 years. Typical for lobar pneumonia is damage to the left lower lobe, less often - to the right lower and right upper lobe. In infancy, it manifests itself in most cases as bronchopneumonia.

Interstitial pneumonia is manifested by the fact that the inflammatory process is predominantly localized in the interstitial connective tissue. It is more common in children in the first 2 years of life. It is particularly severe in newborns and infants. It is more common in the autumn-winter period. It is caused by viruses, mycoplasma, pneumocystis, chlamydia.

In addition to bacterial and viral, pneumonia can be:

• occur when;
• associated with the action of chemical and physical factors.

Why do young children get pneumonia more often?

How smaller child, the higher the risk of developing pneumonia and the severity of its course. The frequent occurrence of pneumonia and its chronicity in children is facilitated by the following characteristics of the body:

• the respiratory system is not fully formed;
• the airways are narrower;
• the lung tissue is immature, less airy, which also reduces gas exchange;
• the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract are easily vulnerable, have many blood vessels, and quickly become inflamed;
• the cilia of the mucosal epithelium are also immature and cannot cope with the removal of mucus from the respiratory tract during inflammation;
• abdominal type of breathing in babies: any “problem” in the abdomen (bloating, swallowing air into the stomach during feeding, enlarged liver, etc.) further complicates gas exchange;
• immaturity of the immune system.

The following factors also contribute to the occurrence of pneumonia in babies:

• artificial (or mixed) feeding;
• passive smoking, which occurs in many families: has toxic effect on the lungs and reduces the supply of oxygen to the child’s body;
• malnutrition, rickets in a child;
• insufficient quality of child care.

Symptoms of pneumonia

According to existing classification, pneumonia in children can be one- or two-sided; focal (with areas of inflammation 1 cm or more); segmental (inflammation spreads to the entire segment); drain (the process involves several segments); lobar (inflammation is localized in one of the lobes: the upper or lower lobe of the lung).

Inflammation of the lung tissue around the inflamed bronchus is interpreted as bronchopneumonia. If the process extends to the pleura, pleuropneumonia is diagnosed; if in pleural cavity liquid accumulates - this is already a complicated course of the process and has arisen.

The clinical manifestations of pneumonia largely depend not only on the type of pathogen that caused the inflammatory process, but also on the age of the child. In older children, the disease has more clear and characteristic manifestations, and in children, with minimal manifestations, severe respiratory failure and oxygen starvation can quickly develop. It is quite difficult to predict how the process will develop.

Initially, the baby may experience slight difficulty in nasal breathing, tearfulness, and loss of appetite. Then the temperature suddenly rises (above 38°C) and persists for 3 days or longer, increased breathing and pallor of the skin, pronounced cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, and sweating appear.

Auxiliary muscles are involved in breathing (the retraction of the intercostal muscles, supra- and subclavian fossae during breathing is visible to the naked eye), and the wings of the nose swell (“sail”). The respiratory rate during pneumonia in an infant is more than 60 per minute, in a child under 5 years old it is more than 50.

A cough may appear on days 5-6, but it may not exist. The nature of the cough can be different: superficial or deep, paroxysmal, unproductive, dry or wet. Sputum appears only if the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process.

If the disease is caused by Klebsiella (Friedlander's bacillus), then signs of pneumonia appear after previous dyspeptic symptoms (and vomiting), and a cough may appear from the first days of the disease. It is this pathogen that can cause an epidemic outbreak of pneumonia in a children's group.

In addition to palpitations, other extrapulmonary symptoms may occur: muscle pain, skin rashes, diarrhea, confusion. At an early age, a child may experience high temperature.

When listening to the child, the doctor may detect weakened breathing in the area of ​​inflammation or asymmetric wheezing in the lungs.

With pneumonia in schoolchildren and adolescents, there are almost always previous minor manifestations. Then the condition returns to normal, and a few days later chest pain and a sharp rise in temperature appear. The cough occurs over the next 2-3 days.

With pneumonia caused by chlamydia, catarrhal manifestations in the pharynx and enlarged neck are noted. And with mycoplasma pneumonia, the temperature may be low, a dry cough and hoarseness may be noted.

With lobar pneumonia and spread of inflammation to the pleura (that is, with lobar pneumonia) breathing and coughing are accompanied severe pain in the chest. The onset of such pneumonia is violent, the temperature rises (with chills) to 40°C. Symptoms of intoxication are expressed: vomiting, lethargy, and possibly delirium. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating may occur.

Herpetic rashes on the lips or wings of the nose and redness of the cheeks often appear on the affected side. Can be . The breath is moaning. The cough is painful. The ratio of respiration and pulse is 1:1 or 1:2 (normally, depending on age, 1:3 or 1:4).

Despite the severity of the child’s condition, when listening to the lungs, scanty data are revealed: weakened breathing, intermittent wheezing.

Lobar pneumonia in children differs from its manifestations in adults:

• “rusty” sputum usually does not appear;
• The entire lobe of the lung is not always affected; more often the process involves 1 or 2 segments;
• signs of lung damage appear later;
• the outcome is more favorable;
• wheezing in the acute phase is heard in only 15% of children, and in almost all of them it is in the resolution stage (moist, persistent, not disappearing after coughing).

Special mention should be made staphylococcal pneumonia, given its tendency to develop complications in the form of abscesses in the lung tissue. Most often, it is a variant of nosocomial pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus, which caused the inflammation, is resistant to Penicillin (sometimes to Methicillin). Outside the hospital, it is recorded in rare cases: in children with an immunodeficiency state and in infants.

Clinical symptoms of staphylococcal pneumonia are characterized by a higher (up to 40°C) and longer-lasting fever (up to 10 days), which is difficult to respond to antipyretics. The onset is usually acute, and symptoms (blueness of the lips and extremities) increase quickly. Many children experience vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea.

If there is a delay in starting antibacterial therapy, an abscess (abscess) forms in the lung tissue, which poses a danger to the child’s life.

Clinical picture interstitial pneumonia differs in that signs of damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems come to the fore. Sleep disturbance is noted, the child is first restless, and then becomes indifferent and inactive.

Heart rate up to 180 per minute may be observed. Severe blueness of the skin, shortness of breath up to 100 breaths in 1 minute. The cough, initially dry, becomes wet. Foamy sputum is characteristic of Pneumocystis pneumonia. Elevated temperature within 39°C, wavy in nature.

In older children (preschool and school age), the clinical picture is poor: moderate intoxication, shortness of breath, cough, low-grade fever. The development of the disease can be both acute and gradual. In the lungs, the process tends to develop fibrosis and become chronic. There are practically no changes in the blood. Antibiotics are ineffective.

Diagnostics

Auscultation of the lungs will suggest pneumonia.

Various methods are used to diagnose pneumonia:

• A survey of the child and parents makes it possible to find out not only complaints, but also to establish the timing of the disease and the dynamics of its development, clarify previous diseases and the presence of allergic reactions in the child.
• Examination of the patient gives the doctor a lot of information in case of pneumonia: identifying signs of intoxication and respiratory failure, the presence or absence of wheezing in the lungs and other manifestations. When tapping the chest, the doctor can detect a shortening of the sound over the affected area, but this sign is not observed in all children, and its absence does not exclude pneumonia.

In young children, clinical manifestations may be few, but intoxication and respiratory failure will help the doctor suspect pneumonia. At an early age, pneumonia is “seen better than heard”: shortness of breath, retraction of auxiliary muscles, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, refusal to eat may indicate pneumonia even if there are no changes when listening to the child.

• An X-ray examination (x-ray) is prescribed if pneumonia is suspected. This method allows not only to confirm the diagnosis, but also to clarify the localization and extent of the inflammatory process. This data will help prescribe the correct treatment for your child. This method is also of great importance for monitoring the dynamics of inflammation, especially in the event of complications (destruction of lung tissue,).
• Clinical analysis blood is also informative: with pneumonia, the number of leukocytes increases, the number of band leukocytes increases, and the ESR accelerates. But the absence of such changes in the blood characteristic of the inflammatory process does not exclude the presence of pneumonia in children.
• Bacteriological analysis of mucus from the nose and throat, sputum (if possible) allows us to identify the type bacterial pathogen and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics. The virological method makes it possible to confirm the involvement of the virus in the occurrence of pneumonia.
• ELISA and PCR are used to diagnose chlamydial and mycoplasma infections.
• In the case of severe pneumonia, if complications develop, a biochemical blood test, ECG, etc. are prescribed (according to indications).

Treatment

Treatment in a hospital setting is carried out for young children (up to 3 years), and at any age of the child if there are signs of respiratory failure. Parents should not object to hospitalization, as the severity of the condition can increase very quickly.

In addition, when deciding on hospitalization, other factors should be taken into account: malnutrition in the child, developmental abnormalities, the presence of concomitant diseases, the child’s immunodeficiency state, socially vulnerable family, etc.

For older children, treatment can be arranged at home if the doctor is confident that the parents will carefully follow all prescriptions and recommendations. The most important component of treating pneumonia is antibacterial therapy taking into account the probable pathogen, since it is almost impossible to accurately determine the “culprit” of inflammation: in small child It is not always possible to obtain material for research; In addition, it is impossible to wait for the results of the study and not begin treatment until they are received, so the choice of a drug with the appropriate spectrum of action is based on the clinical characteristics and age data of young patients, as well as the experience of the doctor.

The effectiveness of the selected drug is assessed after 1-2 days of treatment based on the improvement of the child’s condition, objective data during examination, and dynamic blood tests (in some cases, repeated radiography).

If there is no effect (preservation of temperature and deterioration of the X-ray picture in the lungs), the drug is changed or combined with a drug from another group.

To treat pneumonia in children, antibiotics from 3 main groups are used: semisynthetic penicillins (Ampicillin, Amoxiclav), cephalosporins of the second and third generations, macrolides (Azithromycin, Rovamycin, Erythromycin, etc.). At severe course diseases, aminoglycosides, imipinemes can be prescribed: they combine drugs from different groups or in combination with Metronidazole or sulfonamides.

So, newborns For the treatment of pneumonia that developed in the early neonatal period (within the first 3 days after birth), Ampicillin (Amoxicillin/clavulanate) is used in combination with third-generation cephalosporins or an aminoglycoside. Pneumonia at a later stage of occurrence is treated with a combination of cephalosporins and Vacomycin. In case of isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ceftazidime, Cefoperazone or Imipinem (Tienam) are prescribed.

Babies in the first 6 months after birth, the drug of choice is macrolides (Midecamycin, Josamycin, Spiramycin), because most often in infants it is caused by chlamydia. Pneumocystis pneumonia can also give a similar clinical picture, therefore, if there is no effect, Co-trimoxazole is used for treatment. And for typical pneumonia, the same antibiotics are used as for newborns. If it is difficult to determine the likely pathogen, two antibiotics from different groups are prescribed.

Legionella pneumonia is preferably treated with Rifampicin. For fungal pneumonia, Diflucan, Amphotericin B, and Fluconazole are necessary for treatment.

For non-severe community-acquired pneumonia and if the doctor has doubts about the presence of pneumonia, the start of antibacterial therapy can be postponed until the result of an x-ray examination is obtained. In older children, in mild cases, it is better to use internal antibiotics. If antibiotics were administered by injection, then after the condition improves and the temperature normalizes, the doctor transfers the child to internal medications.

Of these drugs, it is preferable to use antibiotics in the form of Solutab: Flemoxin (Amoxicillin), Vilprafen (Josamycin), Flemoclav (Amoxicillin/clavulanate), Unidox (Doxycycline). The Solutab form is very convenient for children: the tablet can be dissolved in water and can be swallowed whole. This form has fewer side effects such as diarrhea.

Fluoroquinolones can be used in children only in extremely severe cases for health reasons.

• Along with antibiotics or after treatment, it is recommended taking biological products to prevent dysbacteriosis (Linex, Hilak, Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin, etc.).
• Bed rest is prescribed for the period of fever.
• It is important to ensure required volume of liquid in the form of drinks (water, juices, fruit drinks, herbal teas, vegetable and fruit decoction, Oralit) - 1 liter or more, depending on the age of the child. For a child under one year of age, the daily fluid volume is 140 ml/kg body weight, taking into account breast milk or formula. The liquid will ensure normal flow and, to some extent, detoxification: toxic substances will be removed from the body with urine. Intravenous administration solutions for the purpose of detoxification are used only in severe cases of pneumonia or when complications occur.
• In case of extensive inflammatory process, in order to prevent the destruction of lung tissue in the first 3 days, they can be used antiproteases(Gordox, Kontrikal).
• In cases of severe hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and severe disease, it is used oxygen therapy.
• In some cases, the doctor recommends vitamin preparations.
• Antipyretics Prescribed at high temperatures for children at risk of developing seizures. They should not be given to your child systematically: firstly, fever stimulates defenses and the immune response; secondly, many microorganisms die at high temperatures; thirdly, antipyretics make it difficult to assess the effectiveness of prescribed antibiotics.
• If complications occur in the form of pleurisy, they can be used in a short course; for persistent fever - (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen).
• If a child has a persistent cough, use mucus thinners and facilitating its release. For thick, viscous sputum, mucolytics are prescribed: ACC, Mukobene, Mucomist, Fluimucin, Mukosalvan, Bisolvon, Bromhexine.

A prerequisite for thinning sputum is sufficient drinking, since with a lack of fluid in the body, the viscosity of sputum increases. Not inferior to these drugs in terms of mucolytic effect inhalation with warm alkaline mineral water or 2% solution of baking soda.

• To facilitate the discharge of sputum, it is prescribed expectorants, which increase the secretion of liquid sputum contents and enhance bronchial motility. For this purpose, mixtures with marshmallow root and iodide, ammonia-anise drops, Bronchicum, and “Doctor Mom” are used.

There is also a group of drugs (carbocysteines) that thin mucus and facilitate its passage. These include: Bronkatar, Mucopront, Mukodin. These drugs help restore the bronchial mucosa and increase local mucosal immunity.

As expectorants, you can use infusions of plants (ipecac root, licorice root, nettle herb, plantain, coltsfoot) or preparations based on them (Mukaltin, Eucabal). Cough suppressants are not indicated.

• For each individual child, the doctor decides on the need for antiallergic and bronchodilator drugs. Mustard plasters and cupping are not used in children at an early age.
• The use of general stimulants does not affect the outcome of the disease. Recommendations for their use are not supported by evidence of their effectiveness.
• Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment (microwave, electrophoresis, inductothermy) can be used, although some pulmonologists consider them ineffective for pneumonia. Physical therapy and massage are included in treatment early: after the fever disappears.

The air in the room (ward or apartment) with a sick child should be fresh, humidified and cool (18°C -19°C). You should not force feed your child. As your health and condition improve, your appetite will appear, this is a kind of confirmation of the effectiveness of the treatment.

There are no special dietary restrictions for pneumonia: nutrition must meet age requirements and be complete. A gentle diet may be prescribed in case of bowel dysfunction. IN acute period For illness, it is better to give your child easily digestible foods in small portions.

For dysphagia in infants with aspiration pneumonia you need to select the position of the child during feeding, the thickness of the food, and the size of the hole in the nipple. In particularly severe cases, feeding the child through a tube is sometimes used.

During the recovery period, it is recommended to carry out a set of health measures (rehabilitation course): systematic walks in the fresh air, drinking oxygen cocktails with juices and herbs, massage and physical therapy. The diet of older children should include fresh fruits and vegetables and be complete in composition.

If a child has any foci of infection, they need to be treated (carious teeth, etc.).

After suffering from pneumonia, the child is observed by a local pediatrician for a year; blood tests and examinations by an ENT doctor, an allergist, a pulmonologist, and an immunologist are periodically performed. If the development of chronic pneumonia is suspected, an x-ray examination is prescribed.

In case of relapse of pneumonia, it is carried out thorough examination child in order to exclude immunodeficiency, respiratory abnormalities, congenital and hereditary diseases.

Outcome and complications of pneumonia

Children are prone to developing complications and severe pneumonia. Collateral successful treatment and a favorable outcome of the disease is timely diagnosis and early initiation of antibiotic therapy.

In most cases, complete recovery of uncomplicated pneumonia is achieved in 2-3 weeks. If complications develop, treatment lasts 1.5-2 months (sometimes longer). In particularly severe cases, complications can cause the death of the child. Children may experience recurrent pneumonia and the development of chronic pneumonia.

Complications of pneumonia can be pulmonary or extrapulmonary.

Pulmonary complications include:

• lung abscess (ulcer in the lung tissue);
• destruction lung tissue(fabric melting to form a cavity);
• pleurisy;
• broncho-obstructive syndrome (obstruction of the bronchial tubes due to their narrowing, spasm);
• acute respiratory failure (pulmonary edema).

Extrapulmonary complications include:

• infectious-toxic shock;
• , endocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle or the inner and outer lining of the heart);
• sepsis (spread of infection through the blood, damage to many organs and systems);
• or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain or the substance of the brain with membranes);
• DIC syndrome (intravascular coagulation);

Most frequent complications are destruction of lung tissue, pleurisy and increasing pulmonary-heart failure. Basically, these complications arise from pneumonia caused by staphylococci, pneumococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Such complications are accompanied by an increase in intoxication, high persistent fever, an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood and an acceleration of ESR. They usually develop in the second week of the disease. The nature of the complication can be clarified by repeated x-ray examination.

Prevention

There are primary and secondary prevention of pneumonia.

Primary prevention includes the following measures:

• hardening of the child’s body from the first days of life;
• quality child care;
• daily exposure to fresh air;
• prevention of acute infections;
• timely sanitation of foci of infection.

There is also vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae and against pneumococcus.

Secondary prevention of pneumonia consists of preventing relapses of pneumonia, preventing re-infection and the transition of pneumonia to a chronic form.

Summary for parents

Pneumonia is a common serious lung disease among children that can threaten a child’s life, especially at an early age. The successful use of antibiotics has significantly reduced mortality from pneumonia. However, untimely consultation with a doctor, delayed diagnosis and late initiation of treatment can lead to the development of severe (even disabling) complications.

Taking care of the child’s health from early childhood, strengthening the baby’s defenses, hardening and proper nutrition– the best protection against this disease. In case of illness, parents should not try to diagnose their child themselves, much less treat him. A timely visit to the doctor and strict implementation of all his prescriptions will protect the child from unpleasant consequences diseases.

Which doctor should I contact?

Pneumonia in a child is usually diagnosed by a pediatrician. She is being treated in inpatient conditions pulmonologist. Sometimes additional consultation with an infectious disease specialist or phthisiatrician is necessary. During recovery after past illness It will be useful to visit a physiotherapist, a specialist in physical therapy and breathing exercises. If you have frequent pneumonia, you should contact an immunologist.

We present to your attention a video about this disease.

Pneumonia in children is an acute infectious and inflammatory process of various etiologies. The mechanisms of disease development are associated with predominant defeat respiratory sections of the lungs.

The respiratory sections of the lungs are the anatomical structures located behind the terminal bronchi - the respiratory, alveolar ducts and alveoli. The incidence of pneumonia in children in the first year of life is 15-20 per 1,000 children, from 1 year to 3 years - 5-6 per 1,000 children. Predisposing factors in children may be the following diseases: perinatal pathology of aspiration, malnutrition, congenital heart disease with circulatory failure, immunodeficiency states.

In older children, predisposing factors are lesions chronic infection, passive and active smoking, hypothermia.

According to etiology, acute pneumonia is divided into:

• bacterial;
• viral;
• mycoplasma;
• rickettsial;
• fungal;
• allergic;
• pneumonia arising from helminth infestations;
• pneumonia that occurs when exposed to physical and chemical factors.

There are seven forms of bacterial pneumonia:

• pneumococcal;
• Friednender's;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• hemophilic;
• streptococcal;
• staphylococcal;
• a group of pneumonia caused by Proteus and Escherichia coli.

The most common viral pneumonias are:

• influenza pneumonia;
• adenoviral pneumonia;
• parainfluenza pneumonia;
• respiratory sontial pneumonia.

In accordance with the causes and mechanisms of occurrence, primary and secondary pneumonia are distinguished. The latter occur against the background of exacerbations of chronic diseases of the bronchopulmonary system and other somatic diseases of the child.

For pneumonia to occur in a child, in addition to bacterial or viral agents, a certain set of factors is necessary:

• entry of mucus into the lungs from the upper respiratory tract is an aerogenic route;
• entry of the microorganism into the bronchi;
• destruction of the protective mechanisms of the respiratory tract;
• hematogenous, lymphogenous ways of spreading infection.

When pneumonia occurs in children, ventilation of the lungs and gas exchange are disrupted, and nutrition of the ventricular myocardium is reduced. According to the extent of the lesion, pneumonia can be segmental, lobar, total, unilateral and bilateral. In the mechanism of development of pneumonia, hypoxia with hypercapnia plays an important role, developing as a result of disturbances in both external, pulmonary, and tissue respiration.

Clinical symptoms of pneumonia depend on the type of pneumonia, the size and extent of the process. At focal pneumonia(bronchopneumonia) the process occurs acutely or subacutely and develops on the 5-7th day of acute respiratory disease in the form of its second wave.

The following symptoms are characteristic:

• temperature increase;
• weakness;
• headache;
• pain in the chest or under the shoulder blades;
• cough;
• increased intoxication.

Over the affected area, a shortening of the percussion sound is noted; on auscultation - bronchophony, weakened breathing, and sometimes crepitus. X-ray is determined by the strengthening of the pulmonary pattern between the foci of inflammation and the roots of the lung. A blood test reveals neutrophilic leukocytosis with a shift to the left, and an increase in ESR.

Segmental pneumonia

In the case of hematogenous spread, one or more lung segments. Typically, the right segments are more often affected. Segmental pneumonia begins acutely with an increase in temperature, symptoms of intoxication are usually pronounced, pain appears in the chest area, sometimes in the abdomen, cough is rare. Symptoms of respiratory failure appear, objective data are poorly expressed. Secondary segmental pneumonia develops against the background of ongoing respiratory infection, while the symptoms of intoxication are mild. Segmental pneumonia radiographically manifests itself in separate foci that merge and then capture the entire segment.

Lobar pneumonia

The inflammatory process involves a lobe of the lung or part of it and the pleura. Rarely seen. Often caused by pneumococcus. The beginning is acute. The disease begins with dizziness, deterioration of health, and a sharp headache. Temperatures up to 40-41 °C are noted, patients often complain of chills. The cough in the first three days is rare, dry, then with the release of rusty sputum. Cyanosis and shortness of breath quickly appear. Children often develop abdominal syndrome, manifested by pain in the navel, flatulence, and vomiting. There are four stages in the course of lobar pneumonia.

At the first stage - stage of tide, - a shortening of the percussion sound with a tympanic tint, weakened breathing is determined, and crepitus is periodically heard. In the second stage facial hyperemia develops, often on the affected side, serious condition. On the affected side, shortening of the percussion sound is determined, bronchial breathing, bronchophony. No wheezing can be heard. Third stage develops on the 4-7th day - the cough intensifies, the temperature drops, often critically. Percussion sound takes on a tympanic hue and crepitus appears.

In the fourth stage - stage of resolution, - the temperature decreases, a frequent cough appears, and abundant wheezing of various sizes appears. Read more about wheezing here. Radiographs also determine the stages of the process: in the first stage - strengthening of the vascular pattern, limitation of the mobility of the diaphragm; in the second stage, dense shadows appear corresponding to the lobes involving the root and pleura; in the third and fourth stages, infiltration disappears gradually.

With lobar pneumonia, there is a sharp neutrophilic leukocytosis with a shift to the left, and an acceleration of ESR. Lobar pneumonia occurs atypically in young children. The main symptoms of the disease are usually unclear. Under the influence of antibacterial therapy, the stages of the inflammatory process are shortened. In case of irrational therapy, a protracted course of the disease occurs.

Interstitial pneumonia

Interstitial pneumonia occurs with viral, mycoplasma, Pneumocystis, fungal and staphylococcal infections. More often, this pneumonia is recorded in premature and newborn children, as well as against the background of dystrophy and immunodeficiency conditions in children. The disease may be accompanied by severe intoxication, a drop in blood pressure is possible, in addition, changes in the central nervous system, as well as the gastrointestinal tract, are often observed. There is a debilitating cough with scanty foamy sputum. Interstitial pneumonia causes swelling of the chest. Percussion - tympanitis. Single crepitating and dry rales are heard against the background of weakened breathing. X-ray reveals emphysema, peribronchial infiltration, and cellularity of the interstitial-vascular pattern. From the blood side, leukocytosis and increased ESR are detected.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of clinical and radiological data.

Clinical symptoms are:

• temperature reaction;
• signs of respiratory failure: shortness of breath, cyanosis, participation of auxiliary muscles in breathing;
• persistent auscultatory and percussion abnormalities in the lungs;
• X-ray - focal, segmental, lobar infiltrative shadows;
• from the blood: leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased ESR;
• the effect of the etiological therapy.

The course of pneumonia in children depends on the etiology, age and the presence of various concomitant diseases. Pneumonia caused by hospital strains is especially severe. Staphylococcus aureus or gram-negative bacteria. The course of pneumonia in these cases is characterized by early abscess formation, rapid breakthrough of the inflammatory focus into the pleura and the occurrence of pyopneumothorax with a rapid course of the disease.

In the neonatal period, pneumonia has serious prognosis. There are acquired and intrauterine pneumonia of newborns. Intrauterine pneumonia occurs as a result of infection of the fetus during pregnancy or aspiration of infected amniotic fluid, and aspiration can be either intrauterine or intrapartum. In newborns, pneumonia is often accompanied by atelectasis, as well as destruction of lung tissue.

An important role in the development of pneumonia can be played by a predisposition to allergic effects of external factors and the occurrence of catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes. With these pneumonias, the addition of asthmatic syndrome is characteristic. The course of pneumonia in these cases takes on a recurrent nature. In children suffering from rickets, pneumonia develops more often and has a protracted course. In children with malnutrition it occurs more often due to a significant decrease in immunity, and mild symptoms of pneumonia are noted.

Treatment of pneumonia in children

In case of moderate and severe forms, children are subject to inpatient treatment. Children of the first year of life - in any form.

Treatment of pneumonia is carried out comprehensively and consists of:

• use of etiotropic drugs;
• oxygen therapy for the development of respiratory failure;
• prescribing drugs that improve bronchial conduction;
• the use of means and methods that ensure the transport of oxygen in the blood;
• prescribing drugs that improve tissue respiration processes;
• using means that improve metabolic processes in the body.

The child's nutrition must correspond to the age and needs of the child's body. However, during the period of intoxication, food should be mechanically and chemically gentle. In connection with cough, foods containing particles that can be aspirated are excluded from the diet. Additional fluid is prescribed in the form of a drink. For this, decoctions of rose hips, black currants, and juices are used.

Immediately after admission to the hospital, sputum and swabs are collected for bacteriological examination, then etiotropic treatment is prescribed, which is carried out under control clinical effectiveness, subsequently - taking into account the obtained results of sputum sensitivity to antibiotics. In case of community-acquired pneumonia, new generation macrolides are prescribed. In case of nosocomial pneumonia, second and third generation cephalosporins and reserve group antibiotics are prescribed.

For pneumonia in children resulting from intrauterine infection, a new generation of macrolides is prescribed - spiromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin. In case of pneumonia in children with immunodeficiencies, third and fourth generation cephalosporins are prescribed. In case of mixed infection, interaction of the influenza pathogen and staphylococcus, along with the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-influenza γ-globulin 3-6 ml is administered.

Antibiotics are used comprehensively according to the following scheme:

• cephalosporins;
• cephalosporins plus aminoglycosides.

Mucolytic therapy, bronchodilators, physiotherapy, and immunocorrective treatment are prescribed. If secretions accumulate in the respiratory tract, it is necessary to remove the contents of the nasopharynx, larynx, and large bronchi. At severe symptoms respiratory failure, oxygen therapy is used.

For signs of heart failure, cardiac glycosides are prescribed - strophanthin, as well as sulfacamphocaine. Immunotherapy is also used. When treating pneumonia, symptomatic and syndromic therapy is carried out. During the recovery period, breathing exercises and physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are of great importance. To improve the drainage function of the bronchi, agents are used to increase sputum secretion or dilute it.

Expectorants:

• Sodium benzoate
• Ammonium chloride
• Potassium iodide
• Bromhexine
• Terpinhydrate
• Thermopsis
• N-acetylcystine
• Mukaltin
• Pertusin
• Marshmallow root
• Licorice root
• Breast elixir
• Anise fruit
• Coltsfoot leaves

Drugs that reduce bronchospasm are used. These include aminophylline.

Forecast

The prognosis with timely use of antibacterial therapy is favorable. Those discharged from the hospital during the period of clinical recovery are registered at the dispensary. After discharge from the hospital, the child should not attend childcare facilities for 2-4 weeks. Children under six months are examined once a week for the first month, then twice a month; from six to twelve months - once every ten days during the first month, then once a month. After one year to three years - once in the first month, then - once every three months.

Children are examined by an otolaryngologist and pulmonologist after the age of three - a month after discharge from the hospital, then once a quarter. Rehabilitation in hospital departments or sanatoriums is optimal. The regime is prescribed with maximum use of fresh air. Breathing exercises and exercise therapy with a gradual increase in physical activity are prescribed daily. Nutrition should be rational for the appropriate age. Drug rehabilitation is carried out according to individual indications. Stimulating therapy is carried out in repeated 2-3-week courses: sodium nucleate, methyluracil, dibazole, ginseng, aloe, infusion of eleutherococcus, vitamins B. Herbal medicine is also used for these purposes. It is used to sanitize the bronchi and have a calming effect on the central nervous system: marshmallow root, peppermint leaf, sage herb, elecampane root, coltsfoot, linden blossom, pine buds, thyme, etc. In children prone to allergic reactions, used with great caution. Physiotherapy is widely used. Mustard plasters, alkaline and phytoinhalations, compresses, ozokerite applications on the chest. Chest massage is widely used. After pneumonia, sanatorium treatment is recommended in local sanatoriums, as well as in the resorts of Gagra, Nalchik, Gelendzhik, New Athos, and the southern coast of Crimea.

Contraindications to sanatorium treatment are:

• activity of the inflammatory process in the bronchopulmonary system;
• signs of an asthmatic condition;
• the presence of a “pulmonary heart”.

TO primary prevention include a healthy lifestyle of parents, excluding exposure to harmful substances on the fetus during pregnancy, rational feeding of children, and hardening procedures.

Secondary prevention includes:

• prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infection;
• early hospitalization of children with pneumonia with aggravated premorbid background;
• timely treatment of malnutrition, rickets, immunodeficiency states;
• sanitation of chronic foci of infection.

Pneumonia occurs for certain reasons, accompanied by severe deterioration in health, pain and weakness.

If treatment is not started in time, serious complications can occur. We will talk about the symptoms and treatment of pneumonia in children in the article.

Description and characteristics

According to experts, pneumonia is inflammatory process of lung tissue. It is infectious in nature, caused by viruses, fungi, and pathogenic bacteria. The official name of the disease is pneumonia.

The pathology is very dangerous as it develops quickly. In the early stages it resembles a common cold. Patients begin serious treatment usually in later stages.

With this disease lung tissue is significantly affected, which negatively affects the functioning of the entire pulmonary system.

When and why might it occur?

A person can get sick at any age. However Pneumonia most often affects children 2-5 years old. The disease occurs for the following reasons:

The disease occurs most often in the cold season. In autumn and winter, children become hypothermic and suffer from the flu and ARVI. Pneumonia may develop against the background of these diseases.

The risk group includes children who often catch colds. A child with low immunity has a huge chance of contracting pneumonia.

Premature babies, whose lungs are not fully developed, have defects, are also likely to get sick.

What is it caused by?

The causative agents of the disease are pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

To the most common harmful microorganisms relate:

• pneumococci;
• streptococci;
• staphylococci;
• legionella;
• mycoplasma.

As soon as these microorganisms penetrate the child’s body, they begin to actively influence it. First symptoms may appear the next day, but they can easily be confused with a cold.

However, there are cases when pneumonia occurs due to severe hypothermia. Inhaled frosty air can damage lung tissue and lead to inflammation.

The severity of the disease depends on the following factors:

1. Extensiveness of the process. It can be focal, focal-confluent, segmental, lobar, interstitial.
2. Age child. The younger the baby, the thinner his airways. Thin airways lead to poor gas exchange in the body. This contributes to severe pneumonia.
3. Localization, the cause of the disease. If the disease strikes a small part lungs, it is not difficult to cure, but if the child’s respiratory system is severely damaged, it is very difficult to treat. We must not forget that when the lungs are damaged by bacteria and viruses, it is difficult to get rid of the disease. Antibiotics may be needed.
4. Immunity child. The higher the baby's immunity, protective functions body, the faster it will recover.

How to treat obstructive bronchitis in children? Find out about this from ours.

Types and classification

Experts distinguish pathology by the area affected:

• focal. Occupies a small part of the lungs;
• segmental. Affects one or several segments of the lung at once;
• shared. Spreads to the lobe of the lung;
• drain. Small lesions merge into large ones and gradually grow;
• total. The lung is affected as a whole. The most severe form of the disease.

There are two types of the disease:

• one-sided. One lung is affected;
• bilateral. Both lungs are affected.

Symptoms and clinical picture

How to determine pneumonia in a child? The clinical picture appears quite clearly. TO general symptoms diseases include:

1. Coughing. May occur when deep breath. He becomes stronger, more intrusive. On early stage illness, it is dry, then sputum appears.
2. Dyspnea. Breathing becomes heavy, shortness of breath torments the baby even without physical activity.
3. Fever. It is difficult to lower it, it stays around 39 degrees.
4. Runny nose. Happening copious discharge mucus from the nose.
5. Dizziness, nausea. The child refuses to eat and vomits. The baby turns pale and weakens.
6. Sleep disturbance. Frequent coughing prevents the child from falling asleep. He wakes up many times during the night.

Signs of the disease are also pallor skin, decreased performance, fatigue.

The baby refuses to play and lies down a lot. The disease leads to lethargy and severe weakness.

Babies under one year old the disease is very difficult to bear. Almost immediately the temperature rises to 39 degrees, there is intense fever and weakness.

How to recognize pneumonia in a baby? Infant cries, cannot sleep, refuses to eat. The baby's pulse increases, and it becomes difficult for the child to breathe. He puffs out his cheeks and stretches out his lips. Foamy discharge from the mouth is possible.

In older children there is a strong cough. The baby is capricious and feels sick. The child refuses food and turns pale. It is accompanied by fatigue and lethargy. He looks sleepy and is capricious. Nasal discharge is thin at first, but becomes thicker as the disease progresses.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics carried out in hospital. For this, the patient is examined, then the following is applied:

1. Blood analysis.
2. Sputum examination.
3. Serological tests. Helps identify the causative agent of the disease.
4. Determination of gas concentrations in arterial blood in patients with signs of respiratory failure.
5. X-ray. Identifies lesions.

These diagnostic methods help to quickly establish a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate medications.

Helps make a diagnosis faster differential diagnosis. Pneumonia is distinguished from diseases that have similar symptoms:

• tuberculosis;
• allergic pneumonitis;
• psittacosis;
• sarcoidosis

The diseases are so similar that they can only be distinguished after laboratory tests.

Thorough examination of blood and sputum the patient helps specialists determine the pathology. At the first examination of the patient, it will not be possible to distinguish the above diseases from pneumonia.

Complications and consequences

If the disease is not treated, it may occur Negative consequences, which appear as:

Indications for hospitalization

The condition during illness in children can be very serious. In some cases hospitalization is required. Indications for it are:

1. Severe fever.
2. Purulent process in the lungs.
3. High degree of intoxication of the body.
4. Serious difficulty breathing.
5. Dehydration of the body.
6. Presence of concomitant diseases. Exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

A child may also be hospitalized if they have a high fever that cannot be brought down with medication, or severe cough with signs of suffocation.

Treatment

How to treat pneumonia in children? You can cure your baby different ways. There are many medications for this, but they are prescribed by doctors only after examining patients.

Drugs and antibiotics

Effective drugs against this pathology are:

• Amoxiclav;
• Azitrox;
• Klacid;
• Roxybid.

These funds fight fungi, bacteria and viruses in the child's body.

They destroy the cause of the disease and normalize the child’s condition. The dosage of drugs and duration of use are prescribed by a doctor.

If these drugs do not help, specialists prescribe antibiotics:

• Levoflox;
• Moximac;
• Unidox Solutab;
• Suprax;
• Tsedex.

They effectively fight the disease, eliminate unpleasant symptoms illness, the child’s condition returns to normal.

To treat cough and eliminate phlegm It is recommended to take ACC. The drug helps the child recover. Take the medicine one tablet 2-3 times a day.

Folk remedies

Helps eliminate the disease onion based products.

To do this, juice is extracted from a small onion. It is mixed with the same amount of honey.

The resulting product is consumed in a small spoon 2-3 times a day before meals.

Prepared to combat the disease garlic oil. To do this, grind two cloves of garlic to a paste and mix with 100 g butter. Ready product should be consumed 2-3 times a day, spread on bread.

An effective remedy is decoction of honey and aloe. To do this, mix 300 g of honey, half a glass of water and crushed aloe leaf. The mixture is simmered over low heat for two hours. Next, cool the product and take a large spoon three times a day.

Physiotherapeutic

Includes the following methods:

• electrophoresis;
• inhalation;
• decimeter wave therapy;
• magnetic therapy;
• thermal procedures;
• inductothermy.

These procedures are performed in a hospital by experienced doctors. For this, special devices are used. The doctor prescribes a certain number of procedures. The methods are usually used while the patient is in the hospital.

With their help, you can achieve incredible results: significantly improve the child’s condition and eliminate the symptoms of the disease. The baby will recover quickly. The body will be able to recover.

Prevention measures

1. Avoiding public places during the cold season. Usually, infection occurs in public places.
2. The child needs to be taken before the walk dress warmly. In frosty weather, it is better to avoid walking.
3. Healthy eating, taking vitamins. Will help strengthen the baby's body, boost immunity. Junk food is excluded from the child's diet.
4. Baby no contact allowed with a sick person. The child's body may soon become ill.
5. Moderate physical activity. Helps strengthen the immune system. Exercises in the morning and gymnastic exercises help.

The disease causes severe harm to the child’s body and leads to complications if treatment is not started in time. It is recommended that at the first symptoms of the disease you consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications.

Doctor Komarovsky about pneumonia in children:

We kindly ask you not to self-medicate. Make an appointment with a doctor!