Pneumonia

At Kids 1st Urgent Care, we recognize that pneumonia can be a serious and frightening illness for children and their families. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care, while delivering expert medical treatment.  At Kids 1st Urgent Care, we approach every case with empathy and understanding. We know that pneumonia can be distressing for both children and parents, and our team is here to provide reassurance, answer your questions, and support your child through their recovery.  Our treatment protocols align with the clinical guidelines of the top children's hospitals in the country. This ensures that we utilize evidence-based practices and the latest medical advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia.  We develop individualized care plans that take into account your child's specific condition, age, medical history, and response to treatment. Our goal is to provide effective and targeted care to promote a speedy recovery. We aim to support both your child's health and your family’s peace of mind throughout the treatment process.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs resulting from infection by bacteria, viruses, or exposure to chemical irritants. This condition causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with pus and other fluids. Pneumonia can affect one or more lobes of the lungs. Or, pneumonia can be bronchial affecting multiple areas throughout both lungs.

What are the different types of pneumonia?

The main types of pneumonia include:

• Bacterial Pneumonia: Caused by various bacteria, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common. Other bacteria like group B Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and group A Streptococcus can also cause bacterial pneumonia. Symptoms may develop quickly and include:
  • Productive cough
  • Chest pain
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
• Viral Pneumonia: Caused by viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, and adenovirus. Early symptoms are similar to bacterial pneumonia, but respiratory involvement progresses more slowly. Wheezing and worsening cough are common, and viral pneumonia can increase susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia.
• Mycoplasma Pneumonia: Typically causes mild pneumonia that affects all age groups but is more common in older children. Often referred to as "walking pneumonia" due to less severe symptoms and continued activity. Symptoms usually include:
  
  • Fever and cough
  • Persistent cough lasting three to four weeks
  • Severe cough with mucus production

Pneumonia can also be caused by inhaling food, liquid, gases, dust, or other foreign materials into the lungs resulting in Aspiration Pneumonia. Although less common, fungal infections can lead to Fungal Pneumonia.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Although there are specific symptoms related to different types of pneumonia, common symptoms across all forms of pneumonia may include:

• Fever
• Chest or stomach pain
• Decreased appetite
• Chills
• Rapid breathing
• Vomiting
• Headache
• General malaise or not feeling well
• Fussiness

Each child may experience these symptoms differently. If respiratory symptoms persist for more than seven to ten days without improvement, or if they return and worsen after initially getting better, it's important to consult a medical professional for a thorough diagnosis.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Pneumonia is typically diagnosed based on the symptoms, the time of year, and the severity of the illness. Your provider may make a diagnosis through a detailed history and physical examination. If further confirmation is needed, your medical provider may order additional testing that may include Chest X-Ray, Respiratory Pathogen Panel, Blood Tests, and Sputum Culture.

Treatment for Pneumonia

The treatment for pneumonia will be determined by your child’s provider based on several factors:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• The severity of the condition
• The underlying cause of pneumonia
• Your child's response to specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expected progression of the illness

Treatment options may include:

• Antibiotics: Used for bacterial and mycoplasma pneumonia.‍
• Supportive Care for Viral Pneumonia: Since there is no specific treatment for viral pneumonia, it usually resolves on its own.

Additional supportive measures may include:

• Appropriate Diet: Ensuring the child gets the necessary nutrition to support recovery.
• Increased Fluid Intake: To keep the child hydrated and help loosen mucus.
• Cool Mist Humidifier: To ease breathing in the child’s room.
• Acetaminophen: To reduce fever and alleviate discomfort.
• Medication for Cough: To manage coughing as needed.
• Nebulizer Treatments: To administer medication directly into the lungs for easier breathing.

In most cases, children recover fully from pneumonia with care from their pediatrician and do not require hospitalization. However, some children with severe breathing problems may need hospital treatment.

Child-Friendly Environment

Understanding that medical treatments can be stressful for children, all of our providers have been trained by our Child Life Specialists on how to approach your child in a friendly and compassionate manner. We strive to make the experience as stress-free as possible, with a child-centered environment and a caring staff that helps ease any anxiety.

Kids 1st Urgent Care sources its medical research from leading authorities in pediatric medicine, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Texas Children’s Hospital.