Typical pneumonia is considered to be an infection in one or both lungs caused by common germs.
Patients with heart, lung diseases or problems in their immune system have an increased risk of developing it. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause, as well as, for children over five years old, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae being common as well.
The combination of fever and cough is suggestive of lung infection in children, but symptoms can sometimes be nonspecific. Young children may present with feeding difficulties, restlessness, irritability or just fever. Older children may complain of pleuritic chest pain.
Diagnosis is made by history taking, physical examination and additional tests such as blood tests and chest X-ray.
Treatment will depend on the cause. If the infection is bacterial, treatment should be antibiotic. If the infection is viral, treatment is usually only for the symptoms.
- William J Barson. Pneumonia in children: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and etiology. UpToDate. Junio 2016
- William J Barson. Community-acquired pneumonia in children: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate. Junio 2016
- Bradley JS. The management of community-acquired pneumonia in infants and children older than 3 months of age: clinical practice guidelines by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 53:e25.
- Harris M. British Thoracic Society guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in children: update 2011. Thorax 2011; 66 Suppl 2:ii1.
- Lionel A. Mandell. Neumonía. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 153
