Most cases of pneumonia are caused by viruses including adenoviruses, rhinovirus, influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus (which causes croup).
Often, pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat), with symptoms of pneumonia beginning after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Symptoms vary depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia, but common ones include:
-fever
-chills
-cough
-nasal congestion
-unusually rapid breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom)
-breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
-labored breathing that makes the rib muscles retract (when -muscles under the ribcage or between ribs draw inward with each breath) and causes nasal flaring
-vomiting
-chest pain
-abdominal pain
-decreased activity
-loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants), which may lead to dehydration
-in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails
The most common cause of a bacterial
pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. In this form of pneumonia, there is usually an abrupt onset of the illness with shaking chills, fever, and production of a rust-colored sputum. The infection spreads into the blood in 20%-30% of cases (known as sepsis), and if this occurs, 20%-30% of these patients die.
PREVENTION
There are a number steps you can take to help prevent getting pneumonia .
-Stop smoking
You're more likely to get pneumonia if you smoke.
-Avoid people who have infections that sometimes lead to pneumonia.
-Stay away from people who have colds , the flu , or other respiratory tract infections.
-If you haven't had measles or chickenpox or if you didn't get vaccines against these diseases, avoid people who have them.
-Wash your hands often. This helps prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that may cause pneumonia.
All you need to know about pneumonia is an article written by ONYEWUCHI FRANKLIN CHUKWUEMEKA FRANKOBEN
0 Comments