Symptoms and signs of pneumonia in a child

Flu, cold have signs similar to beginning inflammation of the lungs. If the body does not cope with the disease, the bacteria caused by the appearance, for example, of ARVI, can penetrate into the respiratory system.

Pneumonia. What is this disease?

This is an acute infectious disease affecting the lungs of the patient. The Inflammatory process is caused by different bacteria: staphylo-, pneumo-, streptococci, klebsiella, mycoplasma, fungi and some types of viruses. When the pathogenic microflora enters the lungs, the swelling of the bronchial mucosa begins first. As a result, air enters the alveoli. The latter begin to subside, inflammation develops in the tissues of the lung.

Signs of pneumonia in the child

Elevated body temperature, which does not subside for several days, and also keeps within 37 ° for a long time, becomes an alarming "bell", indicating that the baby may have pneumonia. The first signs of pneumonia can be associated with the appearance of a strong cough, which can be either dry or wet. Separated sputum can be purulent or with blood veins. AT In this case, you need to call a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of pneumonia in a child can be expressed in pain in the sternal region. In this case, they can occur both with and without cough, sometimes determined under the shoulder blades. Another manifestation of the disease is the lack of air and fatigue.

Signs of viral and bacterial pneumonia

In the event that the illness in the baby was a consequence of the virus, the symptoms usually appear in about a day or two. In the event that the ailment is bacterial in nature, the disease progresses rapidly and is accompanied by a high fever. If the parents noticed the described signs of pneumonia in the child, it is necessary to urgently call a doctor who will listen to the patient and carry out other diagnostic measures.

Methods for detecting pneumonia

After the signs of pneumonia in the child showed up, the pediatrician must send the child to X-ray without fail. This method allows you to say with absolute accuracy whether a child's lungs are light or not. Due to the fact that healthy lungs are filled with air, they look dark in the image. If there are inflamed zones, then in the picture they will look like white spots. In addition, with the help of X-ray specialist determines the nature of the disease. If the disease is provoked by bacteria, then there are small light areas in the picture. Viral nature can be detected by seeing a filamentary light inclusion. In the event that bronchopneumonia develops, it appears in the image as patches covering both lungs.

When you can get sick with this ailment

The more often the child is sick, the more likely that the symptoms that appear are signs of a child's pneumonia . At risk are children, from six months to four years. The fact is that before this age the lungs are not yet fully formed. If the disease recurs, it makes sense to consult a pulmonologist.