Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a specific acute disease which involves an entire lung or a part of a lung. Sometimes both lungs are involved. It

may occur at any time of year, but it is frequent in the months from December until May. The chief predisposing factors are. weather, draughts, loss of sleep and contact with patients who have infections. Various viruses and staphylococci may cause it.

The main symptoms are chill, fever, general weakness, sweating and persistent dry cough which can’t be relieved by common measures. The child usually has poor appetite, disturbed sleep. Sometimes children have local chest pains or stomachache. Young infants suffer from shortness of breath.In severe cases patients may have expectoration of bloody sputum. The disease sets in abruptly. There may be a preceding upper respiratory infection with a cough. If the disease remains uncomplicated if lasts from 7 to 14 days.

The treatment consists chiefly of bed rest. The most important agents are fresh air, good nursing and nutritious food that the child likes.The disease responds very well to specific medication with appropriate antibiotics (penicillin) Before the era of antibiotics sulfanilamides were used.. Mustard plasters are always administered, sometimes cups as well.. Diathermy of the lungs gives very good results. The child should be given vitamins C, A and others from the very first day of the disease.

A variety of complications may occur. Sometimes empyema develops after the seventh day of the disease. Otitis media and mastoiditis are usually found in children. Other complications are pericarditis, endocarditis and meningitis,.

An important factor in the prophylaxis of pneumonia is fighting such infectious diseases as influenza, measles and whooping cough, all of which are often complicated by pneumonia.