- Care during treatment at home
- Recommended remedies
- Signs that the child needs to be hospitalized
- How the treatment is done at the hospital
The treatment of childhood pneumonia lasts about 7 to 14 days because it depends on the causative agent of the disease and can be done at home, with the use of antibiotics, such as oral amoxicillin, for example, or injection of penicillin prescribed by the pediatrician.
During the treatment of childhood pneumonia, it is recommended that the child rest, without going to school, or other public places, as childhood pneumonia can be contagious especially when caused by viruses.
Care during treatment at home
When childhood pneumonia can be treated at home, parents should:
- Ensure good nutrition and hydration; Keep the airways clean; Avoid cough syrups; Make daily nebulizations or as directed by the doctor.
Childhood pneumonia can be cured, but it can progress to severe cases when treatment is not started within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms such as fever over 38º, coughing with phlegm, loss of appetite, rapid breathing and no desire to play. In these situations, the child may need to be hospitalized for treatment with medication in the veins or receive oxygen.
Recommended remedies
Antibiotic remedies can be indicated depending on the microorganism involved. The pediatrician can prescribe procaine penicillin, amoxicillin in tablet form, benzathine penicillin, amoxicillin with clavulanate, cefuroxime, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or erythromycin, for example.
The medication should be given at the time and in the dose indicated by the pediatrician to guarantee the cure of pneumonia, if the parents are not careful, the disease can get worse.
Signs that the child needs to be hospitalized
Hospital treatment is indicated when the baby or child has signs of seriousness related to pneumonia, such as:
- Purplish lips or fingertips; Great movement of the ribs when breathing; Constant and frequent moans due to pain and difficulty in breathing; Paleness and prostration, unwillingness to play; Convulsions; Fainting moments; Vomiting; Cold skin and difficulty in breathing maintain the ideal temperature; Difficulty in drinking liquids and eating.
Thus, if the parents observe the appearance of any of these symptoms, they should take the child to the hospital so that he or she can be hospitalized and receive the indicated treatment. It is important to take the baby or child to be re-evaluated because pneumonia can get worse and be more difficult to cure, with the risk of death.
How the treatment is done at the hospital
Treatment of pneumonia in the hospital includes the use of antibiotics that can be given through the vein or muscle, and the use of an oxygen mask to breathe better. Saline can be an option to keep your baby and child properly hydrated and physiotherapy can help you breathe less effortlessly and more efficiently. In the most severe cases, the child may have to breathe with the help of devices.
After the start of treatment, the pediatrician usually evaluates in 48 hours if the child is responding well to the treatment or if there are signs of worsening or maintenance of the fever, which indicates that it is necessary to change or adjust the dose of the antibiotic.
Even after the first signs of improvement, it is important to maintain the treatment for the time determined by the doctor and to ensure that the pneumonia has been cured, the pediatrician may indicate that the child has a chest x-ray before discharge.
To prevent pneumonia coming back, after treatment it is important to dress the child according to the season and avoid places with a lot of smoke, dust or cigarette smoke.
