Pneumonia In Babies: Causes, Effects And Treatment

Pneumonia is a lung infection which is caused due to bacteria, fungi and virus. This disease is very common in the babies.

The babies can easily get pneumonia and have symptoms like cough,fever and even breathing problems. Sometimes it can be treated at home and if it is serious the baby can be hospitalized too. Pneumonia occurs suddenly in babies and can last for about one week to ten days.

CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA IN BABIES

There are many causes of pneumonia which are caused by various micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses and any other organism. They are:-

• Bacteria – The babies are affected by pneumonia due to bacteria which includes the symptoms like rust or green coloured phlegm.
• Viruses - About fifty percent of pneumonia cases are reported in babies which are caused by viral infections. The symptoms look similar like flu.
• Mycoplasma – It is a kind of bacteria in which babies get mild fever and the recovery requires a long time. The symptoms which cause pneumonia due to this micro-organism are nausea and vomiting, white phlegm etc.

SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA IN BABIES

The various symptoms which cause pneumonia in babies depend on the cause and severity of the infection and age and they are:-

• General malaise
• Cough
• Fever
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain and many more

DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMONIA IN BABIES

If Pneumonia is diagnosed, the best treatment should be given to the babies and immediately contact the doctor. If care is not taken then it can also lead to death. To diagnose pneumonia, doctor performs the following tests:-

• General examination
• Chest x-rays

TREATMENT OF PNEUMONIA

First of all, proper treatment should be done for the new born babies and extra care should also be taken to prevent them from bacteria and virus.
The treatment includes:-

• Antibiotics
• Proper rest
• Plenty of fluids
• Medications
• Hospitalization

If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, then it is usually treated with antibiotics. The complete course of antibiotics should be given to the babies so that it should not relapse.
If pneumonia is caused by virus, then they are treated with antiviral medications and doctors recommend to take proper rest and to take plenty of fluids.
If pneumonia is caused by mycoplasma, it is treated by antibiotics. It requires long recovery in babies about four to six weeks.

PREVENTION OF PNEUMONIA

The mother should take the following preventions to prevent her baby from getting pneumonia and they are:-

• Baby should be prevented by avoiding contact with people who are suffering from some respiratory infections such as influenza and cold. The baby can easily get infection with such people.

• The baby should not be kept with the infected person such as suffers of measles or chickenpox as the baby can get infection and as a result he/she can get pneumonia.

VACCINATION GIVEN TO BABIES

Proper vaccinations should be given to the babies at a right time. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) should be given to babies to prevent them from causing pneumonia.