Pneumonia Symptoms

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, and can be caused by a combination of things, including viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites. Pneumonia is commonly the result of an unchecked upper respiratory infection, although this is not always the case. In any case, it's a very serious illness, and should be treated seriously.

Pneumonia Symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms can include fever, flu-like symptoms, conjuctivitis, headache, changes in breathing (wheezing, labored breathing, rapid breathing), coughing, vomiting, pain in the chest and abdomen, sore throat, lack of appetite and hesitance in movement. In the infection's most dangerous belated stage, a blue or gray tinge of the lips and/or fingernails can be seen, depending on the age of the child and severity of the infection.

Pneumonia Treatments

Your physician will usually do a physical examination of your child, since pneumonia symptoms are so general and similar to a lot of other infections. Depending the doctor's conclusions, he or she may order blood tests, X-rays or bacterial cultures before he makes a diagnosis. If your child does have pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or may decide that your child needs to be hospitalized, depending on the severity of the infection.

Is Pneumonia Contagious?

Pneumonia itself is not considered contagious, but is usually just an extended severe stage of another infection which could be contagious. It's a good idea to isolate your child from other children if he or she is showing any kind of symptoms relevant to a pneumonia infection.

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