What are the early symptoms of pneumonia in infants?
Sep 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, early symptoms of pneumonia in infants include rapid breathing, decreased appetite, fever, cough, and poor mental status. If any of these symptoms occur, parents are advised to seek prompt medical attention for the infant. Parents should administer medications such as cefixime tablets, ambroxol hydrochloride tablets, and ribavirin granules to relieve symptoms only under the guidance of a qualified physician.
Generally, early symptoms of pneumonia in infants include rapid breathing, decreased appetite, fever, coughing, and poor mental status. If any of these symptoms are observed, parents are advised to seek medical attention for the infant promptly. Specific details are as follows:
1. Rapid Breathing
Pneumonia may cause inflammation of lung tissue in infants, impairing gas exchange efficiency, which leads the infant to increase their breathing rate to obtain sufficient oxygen.
2. Decreased Appetite
Pneumonia can make infants feel unwell, reducing their desire to eat. This may manifest as reduced milk intake or refusal to feed, potentially leading to dehydration and malnutrition, which could further hinder recovery.
3. Fever
In the early stages of infant pneumonia, fever may occur with body temperature rising to between 38°C and 40°C. The fever may be persistent or intermittent.
4. Cough
Coughing is one of the common symptoms of pneumonia, helping clear secretions and pathogens from the airways. In infants, coughs may be dry or productive, and sometimes accompanied by wheezing.
5. Poor Mental Status
In the early phase of pneumonia, infants may exhibit poor mental status, appearing lethargic or irritable. They may also experience systemic symptoms such as loss of appetite and diarrhea.
Parents are advised to administer medications such as cefixime tablets, ambroxol hydrochloride tablets, and ribavirin granules under the guidance of a healthcare professional to alleviate symptoms. In daily care, it's important to monitor the infant’s activity, ensure they stay warm, and maintain good ventilation in the environment to support recovery.
