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PneumoniaDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember about pneumonia
 Back to TopWhat is pneumonia?Pneumonia is a chest infection which is an infection of the lungs. Usually only part of the lungs is involved. Lungs are the part of the body that does the breathing.
 See Acknowledgement for this image.
Back to TopWhat causes pneumonia?Viral pneumonia is caused by viruses.
Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacteria.
In children, especially young children, viral pneumonia is more common.
Viruses and bacteria are tiny infectious organisms. They are so small that they can only be seen under a microscope.
Pneumonia occurs when these viruses or bacteria manage to get past the body’s normal defences. The immune (infection-fighting) system tries to kill them. If the viruses or bacteria survive in the lungs, they can breed fast and cause pneumonia.
Back to TopIs pneumonia catching (contagious)?The viruses that cause viral pneumonia are catching (contagious). Most children and adults just get an upper respiratory infection ("head cold"). Only a few will get pneumonia.
Most bacterial pneumonia is not very contagious, so other people rarely catch it. Some sorts of bacterial pneumonia, however, can be contagious. It is wise to limit the possible spread of infection by keeping your child with pneumonia away from other children.
Back to TopWhat puts my child at risk of getting pneumonia?Anyone can get pneumonia, but some children are more likely to than others. A child will be at greater risk of catching pneumonia if they:
Virus infections, including viral pneumonia, are more common in winter.
Back to TopWhat are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?Pneumonia causes cough, fever and trouble with breathing. Breathing problems include:
A child with pneumonia is usually very tired and can look unwell.
Viral pneumonia usually develops over days. It starts with a cold and a runny nose. Then there is a cough, and sometimes fever, before breathing problems develop.
Bacterial pneumonia usually develops faster, over a day. It causes high fever, a cough, and breathing problems. A child will be very tired and look quite unwell.
Sometimes bacterial pneumonia develops during a viral infection. If this happens, your child will usually start with an illness like a cold for a few days, and then become much sicker quite quickly.
Back to TopWhen should I seek help?You can look after your child at home if they:
You should see a doctor urgently if your child:
You should see a doctor urgently if your child of any age:
You should also see a doctor if you are worried about your child.
Dial 111 and ask for urgent medical help if your child:
Back to TopHow is pneumonia diagnosed?Your doctor will ask questions about the illness, examine your child and listen to the chest for signs of pneumonia. Pneumonia can be hard to diagnose in young children.
Back to TopWhat treatments are required?Antibiotics do not help in viral pneumonia. It is not always easy to tell if pneumonia is viral or bacterial. Doctors tend to use antibiotics when it is not clear which sort of pneumonia a child has. If your child has bacterial pneumonia, they will need antibiotics. If your child is young or sick enough to be in hospital, antibiotics are often given by a drip (into a vein) (see Drips (cannula or IV) fact sheet).
Pneumonia affects your child’s breathing. Sometimes this makes it hard for them to get enough oxygen. Signs of not getting enough oxygen may include any of the following:
If your child has any of these signs, they will need to be given extra oxygen in hospital. This is usually given through nasal prongs (small soft plastic tubes) that fit into your child’s nose and carry a flow of oxygen.
A child with pneumonia may not eat well but they do need to drink fluids. If they are not drinking well enough, your child may need to be given fluids by an intravenous drip (into a vein) or by nasogastric feeding (feeding via a tube that is passed through the nose or mouth into the stomach).
A small number of children who are extremely unwell with pneumonia need more intensive hospital treatment.
Back to TopHow can I care for my child at home?If your child is miserable because of pain or fever, you can give paracetamol to make them more comfortable. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.
Your child will need rest to help them recover from pneumonia. Encourage them to drink fluids and eat healthy small meals.
If antibiotics have been prescribed, make sure your child takes all the doses.
It is wise to keep your child with pneumonia away from other children. This is to both limit the possible spread of infection and prevent your child from getting a second infection before they have fully recovered.
Back to TopHow long does pneumonia last?A child usually takes a couple of weeks to fully recover. Over that time the immune (infection-fighting) system will be cleaning up the pneumonia. Coughing up phlegm (mucus or sputum) is part of the cleaning up process. The cough may last one or two weeks, or even longer.
If you are worried that the cough is getting worse again, or is not getting better after four to six weeks, you should take your child to see your GP (general practitioner).
Back to TopHow can pneumonia be prevented?
The following article, written by three NZ paediatricians, discusses the serious consequences pneumonia can have and how it can be prevented:
Back to TopHow are infections spread?Infection is spread in droplets through the air by sneezing and coughing. It is also spread between hands, noses and mouths.
Teach your child about the importance of catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and teach them how to put their elbow across their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze. These actions can reduce the spread of infection.
Encourage your child to wash and dry their hands. Hand washing reduces the spread of infection and also lowers the chance of catching infections.
Keep children who are unwell and infectious with coughs and colds away from their pre-school or school. This reduces the risk of other children catching the infection. Some of these children might develop pneumonia.
Back to TopAre there likely to be any complications?Most children make a full recovery from pneumonia. They do not have any lasting effects.
A small number of children may need specialised treatment for complications. A very small number of children may get very sick.
Back to TopReferencesPaediatric Society of New Zealand. 2005. Best practice evidence based guideline: Wheeze and chest infection in infants under 1 year. N.Z.:Paediatric Society of New Zealand.
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz/files/guidelines/Wheezeendorsed.pdf [Accessed 17/9/2010]
Back to TopAcknowledgementsThe image of the lungs comes from http://www.cleanair.utah.gov/how_pollution_affects.htm. Diagram labels have been added. Thank you to the State of Utah, USA, for use of this image.
Thank you to Dr Greg Williams for providing the image of the x-ray.
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 18/03/2010
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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