Detecting and taking care of children with bronchopneumonia and appointing hospital admission

The article was professionally consulted by Professor, Doctor, Doctor Pham Nhat An - Director of Pediatric Center cum Head of Pediatric Inpatient Department - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Bronchopneumonia is an infectious disease of the bronchi and lung parenchyma, which can disrupt gas exchange, cause respiratory failure and progress severely to death. Children under 5 years old, especially those under 2 months old, are susceptible to pneumonia. To help caregivers know how to detect, care for and know when to take a child to the hospital, here are the instructions of Prof. Dr. Pham Nhat An - Director of the Children's Center of Vinmec Times City hospital.

1.1. Main reason

Viruses: 60-70%. Common bacteria are pneumococcal, Hemophilus influenza (HI), M Catarrhalis, staphylococcus, streptococcus, ... Non-specific bacteria: Mycoplasma is common. Due to parasites and fungi.

1.2. Advantageous factor

Children under 1 year of age, especially infants, are very susceptible to disease and the disease is prone to severe changes. On the basis of premature babies, low birth weight babies, malnourished children, immunocompromised children and congenital diseases. Cold climate, changing weather, high humidity,... Polluted environment: Crowded, damp, kitchen smoke, cigarette smoke, dust,... Contagious conditions such as kindergartens, schools school, family,...

2.1. Onset

Children with mild fever gradually increase or high fever, fatigue, fussiness, irritability, poor appetite. Signs of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract: stuffy nose, runny nose, cough. Possible digestive disorders : Vomiting , diarrhea .

2.2. Full play

Signs of obvious infection: High fever fluctuating, possibly very high fever and little response to antipyretic or hypothermia drugs in young children, fatigue, fussiness, dry lips, dirty tongue,... Dry cough or cough continuous, profuse sputum secretion, thick and yellow nasal discharge. Fast breathing rate. Shortness of breath, bulging nostrils, head nodding to the rhythm of breathing, chest constriction. Cyanosis on tongue, around lips, extremities. Irregular breathing, apnea, ... in severe cases.

Children with bronchopneumonia have the following signs/severe factors, parents need to take the child to hospital for monitoring and treatment immediately:
High fever or low temperature. Poor suckling, not eating. Tachypnea or apnea in an infant. Sleepy or fussy, pale,...

Keep the living environment clean, do not allow children to live in an environment with smoke and dust. Keep children's place cool, good air circulation, warm in winter, cool in summer, stretch clothes, diapers. Regularly clean the nose and throat for children, can use physiological saline nasal drops. Vaccinations for children are complete and on time. Early detection and treatment of acute and chronic respiratory infections. The Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia in children,... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.