What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by any one of several viruses and bacteria. The lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid, causing a cough and making it harder to breathe.

How will I know if my baby has pneumonia?
Pneumonia can develop suddenly in a day or two, or more slowly over several days. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if it’s just a bad cold. A cough is often one of the first signs. Take your baby to a doctor if:

• she has a bad cough and is coughing up mucus
• she seems generally unwell
• she has lost her appetite

Some babies may develop a more serious case of pneumonia that may need treatment in hospital. Take your baby to accident and emergency (A&E) if:

• she has a worsening cough, which may bring up yellow, brown or blood-stained mucus
• she has a fever
• she has had less than half of her usual amount of fluids over the past 24 hours
• she is wheezing (a coarse, whistling sound as she breathes)
• she is breathing in a rapid and shallow way, with the skin between her ribs, above her collarbone, or below her rib cage sucking in with each breath
• she has blue lips and fingernails
How is pneumonia diagnosed?
The doctor will listen to your baby’s lungs with a stethoscope to check for fluid and any crackling sounds. He will also check your baby’s heart rate and breathing, and ask you about any other symptoms.

Your doctor may suggest your baby has a chest X-ray in hospital if she seems particularly unwell. This will show how much her lungs have been affected. Your baby may also have a blood test or a mucus test to find out whether her pneumonia is viral or bacterial.
How is pneumonia treated?
If your doctor thinks your baby’s pneumonia is mild, then she can be treated at home. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia will go away on its own as your baby’s immune system fights the virus.

Without going to hospital for tests, it’s difficult to know which kind of pneumonia your baby has. For a mild case of pneumonia, your doctor may give your baby antibiotics to be on the safe side. You can also try other treatments to help ease your baby’s discomfort:
• Make sure your baby gets plenty of rest.
• Give your baby infant paracetamol or infant ibuprofen to bring down her fever. Your baby can have paracetamol from two months if she was born after 37 weeks and weighs more than 4kg (9lb). She can have ibuprofen if she is three months or older and weighs at least 5kg (11Ib) Check the dosage information on the packet, or ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about how much to give your baby.
• Your baby can easily become dehydrated if her congested airways and cough are making it hard for her to drink. Encourage your baby to take extra breast or bottle feeds. She can have water too if she is formula-fed or on solids

Don’t give your baby any over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. They should not be given to children under six, because of the risk of side-effects.

If your baby’s pneumonia is more severe, or if she develops sepsis, she's likely to need treatment in hospital. Sepsis happens when the body starts to attack its own tissues and organs in response to an infection.

A severe case of pneumonia can either come on quickly, or can develop more slowly over a few days. So keep an eye on your baby for signs that she is getting worse. She may need to go to hospital if she’s having trouble feeding or breathing.

Hospital treatment will make sure your baby is getting enough fluids and enough oxygen. Your baby may be given antibiotics through a drip. She may also need fluids through a drip if she is very dehydrated. If she’s having trouble breathing and the level of oxygen in her blood is low, she may be given extra oxygen through a face mask.

What can I do to prevent my baby from getting pneumonia in the future?
To boost your baby’s chances of staying healthy and reduce her chances of getting pneumonia:

• Make sure your baby has her vaccinations. The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) protects against some causes of pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Also the Hib, diphtheria, and whooping cough vaccines are all important in preventing diseases that can lead to pneumonia (BTS 2002).
• Practise good personal hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, and wash your hands and your baby’s hands often to prevent the spread of germs.
• Create a smoke-free environment. If you or your partner smokes, try to stop. Babies who live around cigarette smoke become ill more often and are more susceptible to illnesses such as pneumonia, colds, asthma, ear infections. This is one reason why it's now illegal to smoke in a car with a baby or child present.

http://livehealthyafrica..com.ng/

References

BTS. 2002. BTS guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in childhood. British Thoracic Society. thorax.bmj.com Thorax 57(Suppl. 1): i1-124

CKS. 2007. Clinical topic – Cough: acute with chest signs in children. NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.nhs.uk [Accessed March 2013]

MHRA. 2009. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Children’s over-the-counter cough and colds medicines: new advice. www.mhra.gov.uk [Accessed March 2013]

MHRA. 2011. Paracetamol: updated dosing for children to be introduced. Drug safety update. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regularity Agency. www.mhra.gov.uk [accessed September 2014]

NHS. 2012. Pneumonia. NHS Choices, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed March 2013]

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition

Pneumonia symptoms can be quite similar to other conditions like bronchitis,the flu. Click here to get answers on what you need to know about pneumonia and if it is contagious
http://gigihealth.com/pneumonia-symptoms-is-pneumonia-contagious/