Find out how to recognize and manage Walking Pneumonia in Kids with our comprehensive guide to symptoms and treatment.
Nearly one lakh children under the age of five die every year in the country. Of these, 24,000 (24 percent) died due to pneumonia alone. This rate is 14 percent in the whole world.
So we need to be more aware of Walking Pneumonia in Kids. World Pneumonia Day is celebrated on November 12 every year to raise awareness among all.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. A lung is an inverted ‘tree’, which divides into branches ending in leaves. The part of the leaf called alveoli When these alveoli become infected with bacteria, the child develops pneumonia.
Symptoms:
In cases of Walking Pneumonia in Kids, the child has a fever, cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and chest tightness. The child cannot eat or sleep; he is crying a lot. Breathing is done 40 to 60 times or more per minute. The doctor listens for special sounds with a stethoscope in the chest.
Diagnosis:
Blood tests will show an increase in white blood cells, and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be elevated. Most important is a chest X-ray, where some or most of the lungs will appear white.
Treatment:
With a proper diagnosis and prompt treatment, Walking Pneumonia in Kids can recover completely within seven days. Children can be treated at home with oral amoxicillin antibiotics. If you feel very sick, can’t eat, have more difficulty breathing, or if the oxygen level in your blood drops below 92 percent, you must be admitted to the hospital.
Prevention:
Giving the baby breast milk and balanced food; avoiding smoking or cooking in front of children; and getting the necessary immunizations, such as pneumonia and influenza vaccines, reduce the risk of infection.
Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis:
Bronchiolitis is another major cause of shortness of breath in young children. Its symptoms are almost like pneumonia. But in this case, a chest x-ray shows the lungs to be black and large. A white blood cell count is normal. Bronchiolitis occurs in the winter.
Bronchiolitis can occur several times, but pneumonia usually happens once if the body’s immunity is good. We must be careful not to mistake bronchiolitis for pneumonia and treat it with antibiotics. Because there is a risk of developing antimicrobial resistance (AMR),
Professor Dr. Aram Lutful Kabir, Department of Pediatrics, Ad-Deen Women’s Medical College, Dhaka
Walking Pneumonia in Kids:
In summary, paediatric Walking Pneumonia in Kids is a respiratory infection that needs to be treated with caution and attention. Parents may aid in their child’s rehabilitation and general well-being by being aware of the symptoms, getting a diagnosis as soon as possible, and administering the proper care.
Early action is critical when detecting the symptoms of walking pneumonia in children, which include exhaustion, a low-grade fever, and a persistent cough. To guarantee the right course of therapy, seeking the advice of a medical professional for a precise diagnosis is imperative.
Children with Walking Pneumonia in Kids may benefit from medicines, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter drugs for managing symptoms. To aid in their child’s healing, parents should adhere to the recommended treatment plan and create a nurturing atmosphere.
A healthy lifestyle, proper hand cleanliness, and building a robust immune system are all preventive practices that can help lower the risk of walking pneumonia in children. Additionally, vaccination against some respiratory illnesses can offer further defence.
It’s critical to keep a close eye on a child’s recuperation throughout this time and to seek medical assistance if symptoms intensify or continue. Getting enough sleep and eating the right foods are essential for a quick recovery.
In order to support their child’s health after they have contracted walking pneumonia, parents can be extremely important. Their immune system can be strengthened, the danger of reinfection can be decreased, and general respiratory health can be improved by offering comfort, making sure that medication is consumed as prescribed, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
It’s critical to keep in mind that each child is different and may react differently to walking pneumonia. To ensure the greatest results, seek advice from healthcare specialists and heed the suggestions they offer.
Parents may help their child overcome walking pneumonia and lessen the burden on their everyday lives by being proactive, being aware, and giving their child the appropriate care. The majority of kids with walking pneumonia recover completely with the right care and encouragement, and they are eventually able to get back to their regular activities.