Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can vary in severity. Kids under five tend to be more at risk because their immune systems haven’t developed fully yet. But it can happen to people of any age, so having an awareness of this illness is essential for parents so that they know what to look out for.
If your little one comes down with a bout of pneumonia, they will need immediate medical attention. Therefore, it is essential that you be aware of the common symptoms. In this post, we will take a look at some of the common causes of childhood pneumonia.
Symptoms
Symptoms will vary from case to case, but generally, if your child has pneumonia, they will have a high fever and issues with their breathing. Other symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Chest and abdominal pain
- Lack of energy and disinterest in usual activities
- Loss of appetite
Risk Factors
As we mentioned above, kids under the age of five are usually at higher risk of infection. But there are some other issues which may increase the risk, such as:
- Chronic health problems such as asthma
- Kids with existing lung problems
- Kids who are exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke
- Little ones who are suf