Behind Every Cough: The Silent Fight Against Childhood Pneumonia

• Written by Jagriti Chakraborty

  Reviewed by Jagriti Chakraborty

• favorite0Like

  favoriteBe the First to Like

  • Copy Link Copied! Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp

  Share

For years, pneumonia has been a significant concern for parents, impacting the well-being of countless children. Pneumonia isn’t just another severe cold; it’s a serious lung infection that can affect children, particularly infants with smaller airways. Even a mild cold or fever could be the beginning of deeper health problems, as seemingly minor issues may escalate swiftly. Pneumonia is a leading reason children are taken to paediatricians.

According to Indian Paediatrics, India contributes 36% of the total pneumonia cases in Southeast Asia, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). About 10% to 20% of these cases are classified as severe. Given the widespread cases among children, it's important to remember that pneumonia often begins subtly, but a delayed response can lead to serious complications.

An Overview of Pneumonia and Common Triggers

Pneumonia is an infection that causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to swell. It’s a severe lung infection that can rapidly become serious, especially in children with very low immunity. The primary bacterial culprit behind this enduring disease is Streptococcus Pneumoniae. This bacterium is also responsible for community-acquired pneumonia, which can easily be transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions.

While colds are often considered the primary cause of pneumonia in children, the truth is more complex. Specific overlooked contributors to pneumonia can continuously trigger lung damage in children. 

Weakened Immunity

Children, especially those under five, have underdeveloped immunity, making them more susceptible to pneumonia. Other factors, such as low birth weight, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies, silently weaken their ability to resist pulmonary infections like pneumonia.

Environmental Conditions

Exposure to tobacco smoke and poor indoor air quality are often underestimated as factors that impair lung health over time, increasing children's risk of severe infections.

Delayed Medical Conditions

Many parents may dismiss symptoms such as a persistent cough or mild fever. However, it's essential to understand that these can be early indicators of pneumonia that should be addressed promptly.

Pre-existing health Conditions

Children born with congenital heart defects or asthma are more prone to experience serious pneumonia complications. These pre-existing illnesses might obscure the standard indicators of pneumonia, making it difficult to diagnose promptly.

Signs and Symptoms that Call for Attention

Recognising pneumonia symptoms promptly enhances the possibility of full recovery. However, certain hidden signs and symptoms can also lead to serious health issues if left unaddressed. Therefore, awareness of the prominent and less obvious signs of pneumonia empowers parents to seek immediate care and prevent severe complications.

Some common signs and symptoms of pneumonia are: 

High Fever

Fever is one of the clear indicators of pneumonia. The body raises its temperature to fight the infection, often causing sweating as a natural reaction.

Difficulty breathing

Shortness of breath occurs when pneumonia causes fluid buildup in the lungs, making it harder for children to have smoother airflow in the respiratory system.

Persistent cough

A persistent cough continues for an extended period and fails to subside quickly.

Fatigue and weakness

Fatigue and weakness occur because the body’s consistent effort to combat the infection consumes a lot of energy and causes the child to feel less energetic than usual.

Some hidden signs and symptoms of pneumonia: 

Loss of appetite

The infection and inflammation hinder digestion, making it challenging for the child. If not managed properly, this may delay the recovery process.

Unusual fussiness in children

Unusual fussiness refers to a sudden change in behaviour, such as crying more than usual or increased irritability, indicating the child may be experiencing discomfort. This is a clear warning sign to visit a paediatrician. 

Lethargy

Lethargy is often characterised as extreme tiredness, possibly due to an inactive immune response, reduced oxygen levels, fever and dehydration, and nutritional deficits.

Mild chest discomfort

Mild chest discomfort can occur when the lungs are swollen, leading to extremely uncomfortable breathing and tightness in the chest. This less obvious symptom can indicate the onset of a lung infection and requires prompt evaluation by a paediatrician.

Why Does Pneumonia Hit Children Harder than Adults?

It’s easy to assume that pneumonia does not discriminate by age in terms of severity, but that’s far from the reality. The difference between pneumonia symptoms in adults and children lies in how they show up, how doctors diagnose and manage them, and the potential danger they present, which can vary from mild to life-threatening.

Proper nutrition is essential in boosting a child’

The following factors explain why pneumonia affects children more harshly than adults.

Smaller airways

Children’s air passages are still developing and are much more sensitive than adults. Therefore, when pneumonia occurs and causes mucus buildup, these narrow airways tend to get obstructed, making it challenging for them to breathe freely. This anatomical difference is one of the primary reasons that pneumonia symptoms are more intense and call for faster intervention.

Lower nutritional reserves

Children have less nutritional backup to rely on when they are severely sick with pneumonia. These lower nutrient reserves make it harder for their bodies to combat infection and recover quickly. Their growing body needs steady nutrition. Any nutritional deficiency can compromise their well-being, making them more vulnerable to serious diseases like pneumonia.

Struggle to express symptoms clearly

Children often have difficulty describing their discomfort or accurately explaining what bothers them, which can delay diagnosing and treating pneumonia. This communication barrier makes it challenging for parents and paediatricians to assess the severity of the condition.

Higher exposure to environmental risks

Children are generally more susceptible to environmental factors due to their developing respiratory systems, higher breathing rates, and tendency to spend more time near the ground. Collectively, these factors increase their exposure to pollutants.

Stay Ahead of Pneumonia: Parental Precautions

Given that children are more susceptible to pneumonia and often experience more severe symptoms than adults, it is crucial to take proactive measures regarding environmental and lifestyle factors. These measures can strengthen your child's defence against pneumonia.

Ensure proper vaccination

You must ensure your child receives all the prescribed vaccines on time. Vaccination is a crucial way to protect your child from pneumonia-causing infections. Staying up-to-date with vaccines reduces the risk of severe illness and helps protect lung health.

Promote good hygiene

It is critical to encourage children to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Parents must clean their living spaces and cover their mouths, especially when sneezing or coughing. These habits minimise the spread of infections while reducing the risk of pneumonia and other serious diseases.

Keep children away from sick individuals

Pneumonia is highly contagious, and children must avoid contact with sick individuals. Children’s immunity systems are still nascent, and minimising exposure to sick people can significantly support their overall health.

Create a smoke-free environment

A smoke-free environment protects children from tobacco smoke and other dangerous pollutants. Exposure to smoke can further damage their immunity and increase the likelihood of harmful lung infections. As a parent, you need to ensure a smoke-free environment at home with the ultimate objective of safeguarding your child's lung health and overall well-being.

Smart Nutrition to Prevent Childhood Pneumonia

Proper nutrition is essential in boosting a child’s natural defences so their bodies can resist infections more effectively. Choosing the right food reinforces the immune system and accelerates the healing process if contracted with pneumonia symptoms.

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables, particularly spinach, broccoli, and kale, can support lung health with essential nutrients like vitamins A and C and antioxidants. These nutrients further boost the immune system while helping the body resist infections.

Garlic

Garlic contains a wonderful compound, like allicin, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds protect the lungs from swelling and support easier breathing in case of congestion. You can provide garlic-infused soups or give garlic oil massages to children under 5.

Nuts and seeds

These are excellent sources of Vitamin E that can regulate a healthy immune system. They also act as powerful antioxidants that protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. Adequate Vitamin E intake supports healthy lung activity and equips the body to resist infections.

Fatty fish

Fatty fish contain Omega-3s, which can ease lung function while supporting lasting lung strength and maintaining a resilient immune system in the long run.

When to Seek a Paediatrician for Your Little One

As a parent, you must understand that children’s bodies can change rapidly. What seems harmless in the beginning can turn into something more serious. Therefore, if your toddler looks serious and their symptoms persist beyond 24 hours or worsen instead of improve, it’s essential not to delay further. Early clinical assessment by a paediatrician ensures that the root cause is identified on time, proper pneumonia treatment is initiated, and additional complications are avoided.

In case your child is hospitalised due to severe pneumonia, securing the right health insurance policy can substantially diminish healthcare costs and ensure access to excellent healthcare services.

Conclusion  

Despite medical advancements in healthcare, pneumonia continues to impact child health significantly. This emphasises the critical role of staying alert to even subtle signs of pneumonia and timely intervention to avoid serious pulmonary complications.

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus and policy documents carefully.