Pneumonia - What Steps Should You Take To Prevent It?

A child suffering from pneumonia often experiences rapid, forced and uneasy breathing. Wheezing while breathing is also a common symptom of pneumonia. Some children may have a fever along with shakes and chills. If a child has suffered from flu, do not send him or her back to school before the symptoms completely disappear. Not only will the child have a recurrence, but other kids could pick up the virus too.

Pneumonia can be easily prevented in children with a few simple measures. If someone in the family stays ill, it is best to keep the child away to avoid exposure to germs as they are prone to picking up infection quite rapidly. If the child has had a recent bout of flu, ensure completely rest, adequate sleep, and a healthy, fresh diet to ensure the body is able to recover. Do not self-medicate cough or cold in a child with over-the-counter cough medicines; it could be underlying pneumonia.

Get the cough tested promptly to rule out pneumonia. Keep children away from the infected person, especially if their immunity is low. The bacteria or virus can spread via air from the infected person. Ensure the flu is completely relieved with adequate rest and a healthy diet. Do not share the glasses, spoons, etc., with an infected person. A sore throat or a runny nose that persists for a week or longer should be immediately tested to rule out pneumonia.

Make sure the antibiotics are given at the right time. Make sure the child gets plenty of rest and does not go out to school or for playing. It can completely drain the energy from a child as well as spread the germs to others. Over-the-counter cough medicines should not be prescribed for children below 6 years of age. The child should not be resuming normal duty until the fever and cough are completely gone for at least a day.