Pneumonia is a disease characterized by inflammation of the pulmonary alveoli, which are fill with fluid that hinders respiratory function. The most Common are fever, vomiting and poor appetite, but sometimes coughing also occurs, polypnea and rarely chest pain.
If the child is very dyspnoic it is necessary to administer O2. In the presence of pleural effusion or of pneumothorax contact the surgeon immediately so that he or she will aspirate the exudate.
The laboratory tests to be performed are blood culture and tuberculin intradermo. It is important that the child’s respiratory rate and heart rate be checked every 4-6 hours.
Source: Mediserve‘s Medical Emergencies in Pediatrics.
