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[Tweet ](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/pneumonia) - *content\_copy* Copied to clipboard Copy URL # Pneumonia [By SickKids staff](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/about/contributors/) [Listen](https://app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=6244&lang=en_us&readid=article-container&url= "Listen to this article") [*download\_for\_offline* Download PDF](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/api/PDF?GeneratePdf&pageURL=https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/respiratory/pneumonia/?Print=true&pageGuid=4d037187-a775-4ebe-868b-888e59379240) [*print\_for\_offline* Print](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/pneumonia) PDF download is not available for Arabic and Urdu languages at this time. Please use the browser print function instead Close  Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and lower respiratory tract. Learn about the signs and symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia and how to take care of your child. ## Key points - Pneumonia is an infection deep in the lungs. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria. - The most common type of pneumonia in healthy children is often called community-acquired pneumonia. - If your child is given antibiotics, be sure to finish all of them, even if your child is feeling better. - Keep your child comfortable and give them lots of fluids. Expand All Introduction ## What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It may also be called a lower respiratory tract infection. Pneumonia  In the lung with pneumonia, the affected part of the lung will appear white in a chest X-ray. The white shadow is caused by infected fluid in parts of the lung that are usually filled with air. This X-ray shows a bacterial pneumonia. Community-acquired pneumonia is often caused by viruses. Pneumonia can also be caused by two types of bacteria — typical and atypical. A child can also start out by having a viral infection, which then becomes complicated by a bacterial pneumonia. Signs and symptoms ## Signs and symptoms of pneumonia Pneumonia symptoms can vary greatly in children and may be different in pneumonia caused by viruses and pneumonia caused by bacteria. Common signs and symptoms of pneumonia include: - high and/or persistent [fever](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/na/fever-in-babies-and-children/) - [cough](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/respiratory/cough/) - fast breathing - [trouble breathing](https://youtu.be/NPQJRr7R1SU?si=x9HZiCKrYSpxD3AF) - crackly noises in the lung - loss of appetite - [vomiting](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/na/vomiting/) due to the cough or from swallowing mucus - feeling unwell - abdominal (belly) pain or chest pain ​ Treatment ## What your child's health-care provider can do Your child’s health-care provider will listen to your child's lungs with a stethoscope and observe their breathing. If your child’s health-care provider suspects pneumonia or is concerned about their breathing, your child may have their oxygen level checked with an oxygen saturation monitor and a [chest X-ray](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/cardiology/imaging-tests-x-ray-mri-and-ct-scan/) to see what their lungs look like. Not every child needs a chest X-ray, but the pattern is often different in viral and bacterial pneumonia and may help your child’s health-care provider decide if they need antibiotics. Viral pneumonia does not need antibiotic treatment. If your child’s health-care provider suspects a bacterial infection as a cause of the pneumonia, then they will prescribe antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics will depend on the most likely bacterial cause of pneumonia, how ill your child appears, the pattern on the chest X-ray and the age of your child. Your child’s health-care provider will look at many factors before deciding the best treatment. Occasionally, children may also have a swab of the nose or throat to aid in diagnosis, but these tests are generally not required. Helping your child ## Taking care of your child at home ### Finish all antibiotics If your child was given antibiotics, they must finish all the pills or liquid, even if they are feeling better. ### Monitor and treat the fever To treat the fever or achy muscles, use [acetaminophen](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/drugaz/acetaminophen/) or [ibuprofen](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/drugaz/ibuprofen-for-fever-or-pain/). You can give these medicines even if your child is also on antibiotics. They do not interact. ### Keep your child fed and hydrated. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids to stay [hydrated](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/na/dehydration/). Your child may not want to eat much at first. Once the infection begins to clear and your child starts to feel better, they will want to eat more. ### Avoid smoky places Keep your child away from smoke, vaping products and other lung irritants. ### Cough symptoms Your child's cough may get worse before it gets better. As the pneumonia goes away, your child will cough to get rid of the mucus. The cough may continue for two to three weeks. When to seek medical attention ## When to see a health-care provider ### See your child's health-care provider if: - your child has a fever and cough for more than three days - you are concerned about your child's fast breathing or frequent vomiting due to cough - your child has been diagnosed with pneumonia and their fever lasts more than three days after starting antibiotics. Some children may need other investigations, additional treatment or a change in the antibiotics that they are receiving. ### Take your child to the nearest Emergency Department, or call 911 if your child: - has difficulty breathing - becomes very pale or blue in the lips - vomits antibiotic doses or will not take fluid - appears more sick ## Hospital admission if needed Most children can be cared for at home. Very sick children may need to go to the hospital. They may need oxygen, fluids given intravenously (into a vein) or other medications. They may need antibiotics given intravenously at first, and then by mouth as they get better. Your child may show physical changes when their condition is serious or when their condition gets worse. Parents and caregivers can learn how to [spot these signs](https://www.healthcareexcellence.ca/media/s3bbk5nv/20221216_signsmaterialsqr_en.pdf) in order to seek help from a health-care provider. 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PDF download is not available for Arabic and Urdu languages at this time. Please use the browser print function instead Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and lower respiratory tract. Learn about the signs and symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia and how to take care of your child. ## Key points - Pneumonia is an infection deep in the lungs. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria. - The most common type of pneumonia in healthy children is often called community-acquired pneumonia. - If your child is given antibiotics, be sure to finish all of them, even if your child is feeling better. - Keep your child comfortable and give them lots of fluids. Introduction Signs and symptoms Treatment Helping your child When to seek medical attention Last updated: November 25th 2024