Lungs

A pneumothorax happens when air gets trapped between the lung and chest wall. It’s more common in teenagers and young adults.

Find out about a range of conditions that affect the lungs, chest and breathing - read about the symptoms, causes, treatment and when to seek help.

A pleural effusion is when extra fluid builds up in the space around the lungs. The most common cause of pleural effusion is pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's animation on pneumonia, you can share a QR code poster. You can watch the animation in English, Samoan, Tongan or te reo Māori. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth pneumonia animation in their preferred language. 

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's animation on croup, you can share a QR code poster. You can watch the animation in English, Samoan, Tongan or te reo Māori. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth croup animation in their preferred language. 

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's animation on bronchiolitis, you can share a QR code poster. You can watch the animation in English, Samoan, Tongan or te reo Māori. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth bronchiolitis animation in their preferred language. 

Some tamariki get asthma symptoms between asthma attacks. These symptoms are called interval symptoms. If your child has lots of interval symptoms, they may need a regular preventer inhaler. Or, they may need an increase or a  change in their asthma treatment. Talk to your doctor.

A spacer is a clear plastic tube that helps deliver asthma medicine to the right place. Younger tamariki may need help to use a spacer, but as they grow older, they will be able to use a spacer themselves.

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on a range of illnesses affecting chest, lungs and breathing, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan one of the QR codes with their phone and go straight to the relevant KidsHealth page.

Palivizumab is used to prevent serious illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk pēpi (babies).  

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is one of many viruses that cause infections of the respiratory tract - the parts of the body related to breathing. 

Many tamariki have only mild asthma. But any child with asthma can have a severe, life-threatening attack. Find out about the symptoms of an asthma attack and what to do if your child does have an asthma attack. 

There are different types of medicines to treat asthma in tamariki (children). The medicines your child needs will depend on their symptoms and how often they get them. Ask your health professional to fill out an asthma action plan for your child so you know what medicines they need to take and when.

In a series of videos, high school students talk about managing asthma, playing sport and what to do when they have an asthma attack.

Pre-school wheeze usually starts with a cough or cold. Pre-school wheeze can also be called episodic wheeze or viral-induced wheeze.

Watch the videos and know the signs and the different noises pēpi (babies) and tamariki (children) can make when they are having trouble breathing. That way you can act fast and get help.