How to protect your child from Pneumonia
Experts’ recommendations for parents and caregivers to follow as temperatures drop across South Asia
The mercury is dropping sharply across South Asia, and many parts are already experiencing sub-zero temperatures. Each year, this cold wave brings potential health risks for children. One of the biggest threats that parents and caregivers must keep in mind in the wintertime is pneumonia. Missing essential vaccinations, pre-existing health issues, poor nutrition, crowded living conditions, and exposure to indoor air pollutants like second-hand smoke or biomass fuel used to cook and heat increase the risk of pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), South Asia has the highest number of children deaths from this preventable respiratory infection than any other part of the world. The most impacted are children from poor and marginalised communities.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of the lungs, which could be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi in the air. When someone is infected, their lungs become filled with fluid, and it becomes difficult for them to breathe. The infection often starts with a cough, low-grade fever, and difficulty in breathing, making many people mistake it for a common cold. If left untreated it could also cause lung lesions, respiratory failure, or even sepsis.
Pneumonia is highly transmissible, putting many families in South Asia living in densely populated areas at risk of getting infected. You must take extra care if your child is below the age of two as their immune systems may not have fully developed or may be weak due to poor nutrition and other health ailments.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days
General symptoms to look out for:
- Persistent cough: Keep an eye out for coughs that linger or worsen over time, especially if they produce yellow or green phlegm.
- High fever: Elevated body temperature is common, accompanied by shivering. A high fever could be a signal that the body is fighting off infection.
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing, or rapid breaths could indicate a respiratory issue.
- Chest pain: Check if your child is expressing any discomfort in their chest area, any discomfort in their chest area should be checked thoroughly.
Signs of pneumonia in children
Mild symptoms:
- Coughs
- Headache
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Loss of appetite
More severe symptoms:
- High fever
- Sweating or chills
- Wheezing
- Flushed skin
- Difficulty in breathing
- A bluish tint to the lips or nail beds
- Unable to eat or drink
- Unconsciousness, hypothermia, and convulsions
Seek medical attention at once if you think you or your child may have pneumonia.
Treatment
The treatment you will need to follow depends on the type of pneumonia your child has. For instance, in young children, most pneumonia is caused by viral infections - which don't usually respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia, while viral pneumonia often improves with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications like pain relievers to manage symptoms. It is therefore recommended to consult with a medical professional such as a doctor before starting any medicines.
What to do if your child gets pneumonia
- Consult a health worker: If you think your child has pneumonia or if the symptoms are worsening seek professional medical advice immediately!
- Provide adequate rest: Make sure your child gets enough rest to help their recovery.
- Hydration: Encourage your child to drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
Home remedies - helping your child recover while at home
When your child is experiencing symptoms like coughing and chest pains, you can take steps to make them more comfortable at home. Here are some ways to help your child.
- Elevate their head: Use a pillow or a rolled-up blanket to raise the head of the child’s bed at night. This can ease breathing and promote comfort.
- Assist older children: Encourage your child to cough up phlegm and spit it out. This helps clear the airways and lessens congestion.
- Comfort younger children: Lay them across your lap and gently pat their back during coughing fits. This can provide relief.
- Apply heat for chest pains: Use a heating pad or warm compress on the chest area to relieve some of the chest pain.
Additionally, continue to check your child’s lips and nails to make sure that they are pink. If you notice them turning bluish or grey, take them to the nearest health centre.
Tips for parents and caregivers to prevent their child from contracting Pneumonia
Whilst treatments are available for pneumonia, preventive measures will help protect your child from any long-term harm. Remember, a proactive approach to your family's health can make all the difference. Here are some preventive measures you can undertake this winter to safeguard your family against pneumonia.
- Get your child vaccinated on time: Make sure you are updated on the recommended vaccination to safeguard yourself and your child against preventable diseases like pneumonia. Consult with a doctor beforehand about any vaccination available to you or your child.
- Provide balanced and nutritious diets to boost immunity: A well-balanced diet boosts immunity, so make sure your diet is nutrient-rich. Include nutrient-rich food like leafy greens, citrus fruits, poultry, brightly coloured vegetables, and curd (yogurt) in your diet to boost your immunity.
- Maintain good hygiene: Make sure to wash your hands and that your children are following good handwashing habits to stop the spread of infection.
- Dress for the weather: Dress yourself and your child in layers to be protected from the cold. The layers help trap the heat and keep you insulated and warm, and if your child is overheated you can remove the layers. While choosing the layers make sure that the layer next to your skin does not hold on to moisture and is breathable.
- Reduce environmental risks: Reducing your child's pneumonia risk involves minimizing exposure to smoke. Cook in well-ventilated areas when using biomass fuel (like wood or dung) and avoid smoking around them to prevent second-hand smoke exposure.
Make your homes warmer this winter
Making sure that your home is warm not only enhances comfort but also acts as a simple measure to reduce the risk of getting pneumonia. Staying warm in your home minimizes your and your child’s exposure to cold temperatures, thus reducing the risk of compromising your immune system. Here are some ways to keep warm at home.
- Seal your space: Keep the warmth indoors by closing windows and doors and thus preventing heat from escaping. This is particularly important in the evening when temperatures drop. However, be mindful not to seal off all ventilation, as this could lead to increased pollution risk, especially if you're cooking and sleeping in the same room. Strike a balance to keep the warmth in while ensuring a breath of fresh air.
- Use warm beading to keep you warm at night: Blankets meant for winter keep you warm while you sleep, removing vulnerability to cold-related health issues.
- Block out drafts: Block out drafts by finding and sealing any gaps or openings around windows and doors. This simple step helps create a more insulated and warmer living space.
- Let the sunlight in during the day: Open the curtains to let the sunlight in and heat the room, and make sure to close it during the evening to trap the heat in.
By staying informed and proactive, you can significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia for your family during this winter season. Prioritize health, seek prompt medical attention, and take preventative measures to ensure a safe and healthy winter for you and your children.
Sources
- https://www.unicef.org/stories/childhood-pneumonia-explained
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4471-pneumonia#symptoms-and-causes
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/pneumonia#tab=tab_3
- https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/pneumonia
- https://www.urgencyroom.com/what-is-pneumonia
