Every parent dreams of having a healthy child. They will do everything they need to do in order to ensure that their child’s health is properly taken cared of so that they would not have any problems in the future. But because of some unavoidable factors, children are exposed to different bacteria and viruses which could lead to some serious illness. One of the most common infections that a child is exposed to nowadays is pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection which when not attended to properly, could cause permanent damage to a child’s lungs, or even death. Because of all these threats present, which makes children susceptible, the best thing parents can do is to come up with preventive measures for their child not to get sick.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that is characterized by the inflammation of the lungs. Pneumonia is introduced in the child’s system by inhaling different microorganisms like protozoa, fungi, virus or bacteria. Most of the time, this can be acquired by inhaling the microorganisms from a person who has pneumonia. When these microorganisms enter the nose, mouth or the eyes, the natural response of the body is to kill these foreign objects. But when the immune system of a child is low, their body’s ability to fight these organisms is weak which makes the said microorganisms spread freely all over the body. When it reaches the lungs and its air sacs, they get filled with pus and fluid, which results to difficulty in breathing and lesser oxygen supply in the blood.

Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can affect not only adults but children as well. Children who have flu or colds are more exposed to the risk of having pneumonia due to their lowered immunity in bacteria and viruses. When these foreign objects enter the lungs, it could cause pneumonia. The signs and symptoms of pneumonia differ, depending on the type of microorganism that attacked the lungs. If the infection is bacterial, the infected child will experience high fever and chills. On the other hand, if the infection is viral, the child will be experiencing muscle pains, loss of appetite, headaches, chest pains and cough. In addition, the breathing pattern would be abnormal and mucus is secreted when coughing. It has to be noted that the symptoms of viral pneumonia takes a lot longer to manifest compared to bacterial pneumonia.    

 How to Prevent Pneumonia in Children

Early preparation for the infection is the key to prevent pneumonia in children. One of the best defenses a child could have against pneumonia is vaccine. It is recommended that a vaccine against pneumonia be administered to a child during his or her first years. Other ways to prevent pneumonia include boosting the immune system of the child by giving him the proper nutrition, regular doctor visits, adequate rest, and exercise. Hygiene also plays an important role in the prevention of pneumonia. Children should be taught how to maintain a clean body and how to wash hands properly and as often as possible.