Inflammation of the lung – disease that may be affected by both children and adults. The intensity of manifestations depends on the affected area of the disease, the type of pathogen and aggravating factors.
Pneumonia in children 3 years of age has its own characteristics. Due to an infectious lesion, partial dysfunction of the upper and (or) lower segments of the lung develops. If symptoms characteristic of pneumonia occur , the baby should be immediately shown to the attending physician. Inflammation of the lungs is considered a severe respiratory infection.
The disease cannot be started, this will lead to the development of irreversible pathological changes. Among them, acute respiratory failure is distinguished. With pneumonia, there are malfunctions in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, urinary system. Children who are less than three years old have not yet developed immunity, so they are at risk. The same applies to babies suffering from autoimmune pathologies.
Pneumococcus
The general condition of the baby depends on the reasons that provoked pneumonia. Typical pneumonia can be caused by pneumococcus. He also gives impetus to the development of meningitis and otitis media. The carrier of the infection is a sick patient.
Causes of the disease
Factors that can cause pneumonia include:
- infectious infection (viruses, pneumococci, atypical microflora, streptococci);
- reduced immunity;
- cystic fibrosis;
- aspiration of the respiratory tract;
- a sharp drop in temperature (overheating, hypothermia);
- inhalation of chemical compounds;
- congenital heart defects;
- chronic diseases of the respiratory system;
- exposure to allergens.
In healthy babies, the defense mechanism is activated immediately after the pathogen enters the body. With viral pneumonia, the doctor discovers multiple foci of inflammation on the surface of the lung. Three-year-olds have difficulty coughing up phlegm. Because of this, it accumulates in the bronchi. As a result, favorable conditions arise for the vital activity of harmful microorganisms.
The main symptoms
The list of signs of pneumonia in a 3-year-old child includes:
High body temperature
- high body temperature ;
- daytime sleepiness;
- debilitating cough;
- loss of appetite;
- shallow breathing;
- general weakness;
- dyspnea;
- increased breathing;
- cyanosis of the skin;
- retraction of the intercostal spaces.
In rare cases, atelectasis is observed. If there are signs of pneumonia, the baby must be hospitalized. It must be supervised by a pediatrician.
Focal pneumonia may be secondary. The main reasons include respiratory diseases, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus infection. Representatives of the harmful microflora can join the virus that provoked pneumonia. Under these circumstances, pneumonia is characterized by a mixed character. The child’s health worsens within 5-7 days after infection. The duration of the incubation period depends on the cold that caused the inflammatory process in the lungs.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic examination for pneumonia occurs over several stages:
- Collecting anamnesis.
- Physical examination.
- Laboratory research.
- Instrumental diagnostics.
Auscultation is considered a mandatory procedure. By means of this method, the lungs are listened to. On chest x-ray , the affected area and changes in the interstitial pattern are determined . An enlargement of the pulmonary roots is often found in the photograph taken during the examination of the patient. In the course of a clinical blood test , indicators such as the level of ESR and the number of leukocytes are detected . The general condition with pneumonia is assessed based on the diagnostic results. Treatment is prescribed only after receiving the results of the study.
Pneumonia treatment
Pneumonia in a 3-year-old child is fought with the help of:
- drug treatment;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- folk remedies.
The baby is allowed to be treated on an outpatient basis only in the absence of pronounced signs of inflammation. At home, treatment should take place in full accordance with the doctor’s recommendations. It is strictly forbidden to independently select a therapeutic regimen. If the child’s health worsens, he is urgently hospitalized.
Drinking regime
During illness, children lose their appetite. Contrary to popular belief, they should not be forced to eat. Heavy meals should be replaced with light ones. Pickles and smoked meats will have to be excluded from the baby’s diet . The doctor with pneumonia must correct the child’s drinking regimen. The volume of fluid entering the body is increased during the treatment of pneumonia. Tea and soda should be replaced with freshly squeezed juice, medicinal infusions and water-electrolyte solutions.
Parents must create a comfortable environment for the child. In the children’s room, it is necessary to regularly ventilate and wet clean. Compliance with these measures will improve the overall well-being of the baby.
Medication
In the treatment of mixed and bacterial pneumonia, antibacterial drugs are used. A positive effect can be achieved by taking medications related to cephalosporins, penicillins and macrolides. Antipyretics are prescribed if the body temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius. At lower rates, it is not recommended to drink medicines from this category. This can blur the clinical picture that occurs with pneumonia and complicate differential diagnosis. An exception is made only when febrile seizures occur.
Antibiotics
Medicines with immunomodulatory and antihistamine properties are taken as directed by the attending physician. Ignoring his prescriptions is fraught with adverse reactions. They negatively affect the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy. Antibiotics must be combined with probiotics. Through them, the intestines are normalized. In extreme cases, the patient is prescribed a course of intensive therapy.
ethnoscience
By means able to help with pneumonia include:
- Black radish with honey. The top of the vegetable is cut off, a small amount of pulp is carefully removed from the core. Two teaspoons of honey are placed in the formed depression. The finished composition is consumed 2 times a day.
- Fir oil. It is used for inhalation and rubbing.
- Decoctions based on badan, anise fruits, coltsfoot, pine buds. In the list of herbs used to relieve the inflammatory process in the lungs, you can find lavender, angelica, oregano and St. John’s wort.
- A mixture of propolis (15 g) and butter (100 g). A single dose is equal to one dessert spoon. The medicine is drunk before meals.
Propolis
The selection of prescriptions for pneumonia should be dealt with by the attending physician. Despite the natural origin, each specified ingredient has its own contraindications and side effects.
Forecast
The prognosis depends on the form of pneumonia, the pathogen, the individual characteristics of the patient. With early diagnosis and timely therapy, the likelihood of negative consequences is minimal. Ignoring the symptoms of colds is fraught with serious complications. Children with a history of exudative diathesis, thymomegaly , rickets, and anemia are the most difficult to tolerate pneumonia .
The risk of complications increases if the prescribed therapeutic regimen does not bring the desired effect. Pneumonia can become chronic. In this case, there is an alternation of phases such as remission and exacerbation.
Duration of therapy
The duration of the treatment course prescribed for pneumonia is determined by the following factors:
- presence (absence) of complications;
- type and stage of the disease;
- the intensity of clinical manifestations.
Typically, therapy lasts 10 to 14 days. With protracted pneumonia, it takes 3-4 weeks to fully restore the functionality of the parenchymal organs.
Possible consequences
Pneumonia can provoke the appearance of diseases such as:
- pleurisy of the exudative type;
- pharyngitis;
- otitis;
- tonsillitis;
- allergic narrowing of the bronchi.
To avoid their appearance, you must follow all the recommendations of your doctor. Otherwise, the therapy will not bring the desired effect, and the patient’s condition will greatly worsen.