Monday, February 19, 2007
Child pneumonia cases spike locally
I have seen a recent surge in the number of pneumonia cases among children in my pediatric office. It usually begins with an otherwise healthy child suddenly developing a fever and cough, and the symptoms quickly get worse over the course of a day or two. There may have been contact with someone with a similar illness, usually at a daycare or at school.
Many of my patients’ parents are alarmed to hear the word “pneumonia,” and are not quite sure what it means. Pneumonia, in simple terms, is an infection in your lungs.
Our lungs are made up of tiny airways that end in microscopic air sacs called alveoli. This is where the air exchange occurs wherein the oxygen enters our blood and carbon dioxide leaves. A cross section of our lung perhaps can be compared to that of a sponge, elastic, full of pores and containing air.
What happens to our lungs with Pneumonia?
The common variety of pneumonia generally means that the affected part of your lung no longer can hold air and perform the necessary air exchange. It gets filled with mucous and inflammatory cells so air does not reach the alveoli. Inflammatory cells are a defense mechanism of our body trying to contain the infection and seal the rest of our lung and body from the infecting agent. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of our lungs and cause complications and death in certain cases.
Who is most at risk?
• Children younger than 2 years old
• Those exposed to childcare, overcrowding, smoke and bottle-feeding
• Ethnic background: African-American, Native American, Alaskan Eskimo
• People with viral respiratory tract infections
• Patients with certain underlying illnesses, such as diabetes, immune deficiency etc.
The most common cause of pneumonia is a type of bacteria called pneumococci. Other kinds of bacteria and viruses are also responsible. Pneumonia generally spreads from person to person. Viral respiratory tract infections could make you susceptible to other bacterial infections such as pneumonia. Some children may have associated ear infections as well.
Most patients with pneumonia generally have high fevers, cough and are breathing faster. They tend to get sick quickly. Doctors can usually diagnose this pretty easily, sometimes with the help of a chest x-ray.
Treatment and prevention of Pneumonia
Fortunately treatment of pneumonia is not complicated. Most children tend to get better quickly with the start of antibiotics. Rarely, some children with extensive disease may need to be admitted for intensive treatment. Fever control and maintenance of hydration and nutrition should make patients comfortable until the antibiotic kicks in, usually in less than 24 hours.
Frequent hand washing and avoiding crowded places, especially in winter months, are key ways to prevent pneumonia. Prompt attention to fever, cough and seeking medical attention early can make the illness shorter and prevent complications. Return to your doctor if your child’s fever is not going away after two or three days and your child develops a cough and you notice rapid breathing. As I mentioned earlier, pneumonia may occur after a viral upper respiratory tract infection.
With the introduction of Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV) and Hemophilus Influenza B (HIB) Vaccine, there has been a significant reduction in occurrence of pneumonia. There is no need to panic, as most of these illnesses can be treated with antibiotics.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at The William W. Backus Hospital with a private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthliving@wwbh.org
Many of my patients’ parents are alarmed to hear the word “pneumonia,” and are not quite sure what it means. Pneumonia, in simple terms, is an infection in your lungs.
Our lungs are made up of tiny airways that end in microscopic air sacs called alveoli. This is where the air exchange occurs wherein the oxygen enters our blood and carbon dioxide leaves. A cross section of our lung perhaps can be compared to that of a sponge, elastic, full of pores and containing air.
What happens to our lungs with Pneumonia?
The common variety of pneumonia generally means that the affected part of your lung no longer can hold air and perform the necessary air exchange. It gets filled with mucous and inflammatory cells so air does not reach the alveoli. Inflammatory cells are a defense mechanism of our body trying to contain the infection and seal the rest of our lung and body from the infecting agent. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of our lungs and cause complications and death in certain cases.
Who is most at risk?
• Those exposed to childcare, overcrowding, smoke and bottle-feeding
• Ethnic background: African-American, Native American, Alaskan Eskimo
• People with viral respiratory tract infections
• Patients with certain underlying illnesses, such as diabetes, immune deficiency etc.
The most common cause of pneumonia is a type of bacteria called pneumococci. Other kinds of bacteria and viruses are also responsible. Pneumonia generally spreads from person to person. Viral respiratory tract infections could make you susceptible to other bacterial infections such as pneumonia. Some children may have associated ear infections as well.
Most patients with pneumonia generally have high fevers, cough and are breathing faster. They tend to get sick quickly. Doctors can usually diagnose this pretty easily, sometimes with the help of a chest x-ray.
Treatment and prevention of Pneumonia
Fortunately treatment of pneumonia is not complicated. Most children tend to get better quickly with the start of antibiotics. Rarely, some children with extensive disease may need to be admitted for intensive treatment. Fever control and maintenance of hydration and nutrition should make patients comfortable until the antibiotic kicks in, usually in less than 24 hours.
Frequent hand washing and avoiding crowded places, especially in winter months, are key ways to prevent pneumonia. Prompt attention to fever, cough and seeking medical attention early can make the illness shorter and prevent complications. Return to your doctor if your child’s fever is not going away after two or three days and your child develops a cough and you notice rapid breathing. As I mentioned earlier, pneumonia may occur after a viral upper respiratory tract infection.
With the introduction of Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV) and Hemophilus Influenza B (HIB) Vaccine, there has been a significant reduction in occurrence of pneumonia. There is no need to panic, as most of these illnesses can be treated with antibiotics.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at The William W. Backus Hospital with a private practice in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthliving@wwbh.org
# posted by ----------------- @ 4:10 PM 
