Care after pneumonia in children and adults

Pneumonia is a disease of the respiratory system in which there is inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. The alveoli are the tiny sacs in which oxygen from the air passes into the blood and removes carbon dioxide. Pneumonia is usually infectious and can affect part of the lung or the entire organ.

Pneumonia is a curable disease in children and adults, provided it is diagnosed and treated early, although it can be severe and even fatal in immunocompromised people. It can be very contagious because it is spread through coughing, sneezing, and mucus. Patients who have suffered pneumonia are usually cured and do not have sequelae, but they must have a series of special Care because they are more likely to contract it again or suffer other diseases.

In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the Care after pneumonia in children and adults.

Complications and sequelae of pneumonia in children and adults

The most common complications of pneumonia that can occur are the following:

• Pleural effusion: This occurs when fluid builds up in the pleura, which is the bag that surrounds the lungs.
• Empyema: Empyema is the collection of pus in the pleura.
• Lung abscess: it is the creation of a compartment filled with bacteria, pus, and dead lung material, in some part of the lung.
• Respiratory failure syndrome in adults: it is a complication that, as its name implies, causes chronic respiratory failure.
• Recurrence: this is the occurrence of pneumonia two or more times with little time between one and the other.
• Chronic pneumonia: this is pneumonia that does not seem to be cured, which remains with the patient for more than a month despite having various treatments.
• Necrotizing pneumonia: this type of pneumonia kills parts of the lung; it can be due to the kind of infectious agent or due to the patient’s conditions.
• Sepsis: is the infection of the blood when a condition goes from being contained in one place to going through the bloodstream and affecting all organs and systems.

All these complications result from several factors: the patient’s health status before pneumonia, the speed with which treatment was applied, and the Care after the resolution of pneumonia.

Care about pneumonia in children and adults

General recovery aftercare is required; pneumonia is a delicate process, so the patient must be aware as much as possible that he must take some rest for a while. There are some general considerations to take into account:

• Drink plenty of fluids, this will help hydrate the mucosa, and the mucus in the lungs can escape easily.
• Avoid exposing yourself to fumes, especially tobacco; obviously, you should not smoke.
• Avoid attending significant events, as it is easier to get a new infection there.
• Avoid greeting with kisses.
• Wash your hands with soap and water and, if possible, disinfect your hands.
• You may need a pneumococcal vaccine; your doctor will tell you when is the best time to give it.
• Get a flu shot every year.
• Avoid being exposed to sudden changes in temperature, covering the neck, chest, and sometimes the mouth and nose; the cold air can cause the airways to constrict and produce a cough.
• Avoid being around people sick with the flu or cough.
• Eat properly, consume fruits and vegetables and reduce processed foods.
• If the doctor has prescribed medicines at home, follow the instructions strictly, take the medication on time, and do not skip any doses.
• Do not use medications that the doctor has not indicated.
• Rest as much as necessary; it is very likely that at the beginning, you will feel exhausted, and you will not be able to carry out daily activities in the usual way.
• In the case of children, take care that they consume nutritious foods for their age and weight, and avoid foods rich in sugars, since these favor the growth of bacteria.
• In children, offer a regular diet; in infants, offer breast or formula on demand; if the child eats little, offer more times than usual, they may get tired of breastfeeding and need to take breaks,
• In older children, offer water, tea, or natural juices frequently, and avoid processed juices, since they contain a lot of sugar.
• The child may vomit from the cough, wait a few minutes and offer small amounts of food or liquids again.

Reasons to see a doctor after pneumonia in children and adults.

It is essential to watch for the following signs and symptoms so that prompt medical attention is provided when they occur :

• Difficulty breathing in children can be seen as intense breathing through the mouth; it can be accompanied by desperate crying.
• Intense contraction of the chest muscles can manifest with pain.
• Fast breathing.
• Noises when breathing, similar to snoring or grunting.
• Change of color to blue or purple on the skin of the nails, fingers, or lips.
• Exhausted.
• Intense inactivity.
• I am flapping my nostrils.
• Significant loss of appetite is average for the person to have a decreased appetite, but this loss should not be too intense.
• There is a pain in the chest when breathing.
• You feel intensely sleepy or are unable to stay awake.
• The appearance of blood in the mucus or dark mucus.
• Fever.

In any of these cases, you should see your doctor or the nearest emergency department to treat any breathing complications. In young children, it is essential to monitor them closely since they may not clearly express the symptoms, so we must look for signs, especially difficulty breathing or a change in the color of the lips, nails, or fingers, which would indicate a lack of oxygen in the blood.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Care after pneumonia in children and adults, we recommend that you enter our Lung and respiratory tract category .

Alivia Nyhan

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.