Pneumonia is a common childhood illness caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is typically affecting young children and babies under the age of six. It can be fatal, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you think you or your child have Pneumonia.  

Diagnosis:

In order to diagnose pneumonia, the child specialist in Ahmedabad will likely ask about your symptoms and may also perform a physical exam and tests. Tests may include imaging scans such as an x-ray or CT scan, blood tests, or pulse oximeter readings which measure oxygen levels in the body.  

During diagnosis, doctors may consider various symptoms and factors, like difficulty breathing, dehydration due to lack of feed or drink, and inability to take Antibiotics orally. In addition, it also includes a fast breathing rate, low oxygen levels in the blood, and resistance to antibiotics and underlying lung-heart-immunity conditions-related ailments. Depending on the results of the test, your best pediatrician in Ahmedabad might prescribe antibiotics if the cause is bacterial or antiviral medications if it’s caused by a virus.  

Treatment for Pneumonia in Children

Pneumonia is an illness that is caused either by viruses or bacteria and its treatment depends upon the diagnosis. If your child has been diagnosed with pneumonia, the pediatric doctor in Ahmedabad may prescribe antibiotics if they aren’t sure what caused it. Antibiotics fight bacterial infections, so if pneumonia was caused by bacteria, they will usually improve within 48 hours of taking the medication. 

It is essential for your child to complete their full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms have improved, in order to prevent any remaining bacteria from becoming resistant to them. On the other hand, if the cause is a virus, antibiotics won’t work and the focus shifts instead to symptom management and rest.

When Is It Necessary to Take a Child to the Hospital?

If your child is displaying symptoms of pneumonia, your doctor may decide to admit them to the hospital. Factors used to make this decision include age, difficulty breathing, dehydration, and inability to take medications orally. In addition, rapid breathing, low oxygen levels in the blood, lack of response to antibiotics after two days of treatment, or a pre-existing lung, heart, or immune deficiency condition. Recovery from pneumonia typically takes one to two weeks; however, for young children and those with viral pneumonia, it can take up to a month to recover.

How Can Pneumonia Be Prevented?

There are a number of ways to prevent the risk of it which are as below:

Vaccination:

Getting your child vaccinated is a great way to help protect them against bacterial pneumonia. Your healthcare provider gives pneumococcal vaccination (PCV) as part of their routine childhood immunization schedule. Additionally, those aged between two and 11 should receive their annual flu vaccine to further prevent the risk of developing pneumonia as a complication of the flu.   

Reduce the Risk of Infection

In order to avoid infection, it is important to stay away from people who are showing signs of a respiratory infection such as coughing, colds, coronavirus, or the flu. Additionally, teach your children proper ways to protect themselves from germs and contagious illnesses by demonstrating how to cover their nose and mouth with tissue during coughing and sneezing and disposing of used tissues immediately afterward. Washing their hands frequently can help them prevent transmitting any illnesses.

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