Cough and fever are common symptoms in young children and parents should not take them lightly. These may be early signs of pneumonia, a dangerous lung infection that can progress very quickly in children, especially children under 5 years old.
According to Dr. Indu Khosla, a pediatric lung specialist at Narayana HealthSRCC Children's Hospital (Mumbai, India), early recognition of warning signs plays an important role in preventing complications.
Pneumonia occurs when the airbags of the lungs are filled with fluid or pus, making it difficult for the baby to breathe and reducing oxygen in the blood. The disease is spread easily through coughing, sneezing or contact with infected surfaces.
7 early signs that parents should absolutely not ignore include:
Prolonged high fever: If children have a high fever for many days and do not respond to conventional antipyretics, this is a sign to watch out for.
Chest pain: When the baby is breathing, the lower chest is deep, showing that the baby is having difficulty breathing.
Poor taste, loss of appetite: Fatigue, unwillingness to eat can be a sign of severe infection.
Irritability or unusual sleepiness: Children are lethargic, sleep a lot or have constant discomfort that does not appear normally.
Nausea when coughing: This condition accompanied by a prolonged cough is a sign that cannot be overlooked.
Purple nose and nails: This is a sign of lack of oxygen and requires early emergency care.
Rapid breathing, brisk breathing: One of the most dangerous signs of pneumonia.
If the child has two or more symptoms, parents need to take the child to a medical facility immediately. Delaying treatment can cause the disease to progress severely and require hospitalization.
Dr. Indu Khosla said that pneumonia in children often develops faster than adults due to three factors: indoor air pollution; exposure to smoke, strong odors; weak immune system due to poor nutrition.
Children recovering from diseases such as flu are also more susceptible to pneumonia because of reduced resistance.
To prevent the disease, parents should:
- Improve indoor ventilation, use an air purifier if conditions are favorable.
Avoid exposing your baby to cigarette smoke, incense, or spirit.
- Teach children the habit of washing their hands properly, cleaning toys' surfaces.
Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and protein.
In addition to the above measures, timely vaccination plays a key role in preventing pneumonia. Vaccines such as broth, Hib and RSV antibodies significantly reduce the risk of disease and the severity if children are infected.
Parents should take their children to the doctor immediately if they see them breathing quickly, having difficulty breathing, refusing to eat, deep chest pain or purple lips. Early detection and treatment are key to helping children recover quickly and avoid dangerous complications.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional if you have any questions).
