How to cure pneumonia in children

We must distinguish pneumonia from other diseases such as tuberculosis and lung cancer. If we are diagnosed with pneumonia, we should go to the hospital for treatment according to the cause of the disease and our physical condition. We strive for early detection, early treatment and early recovery, so that we can return to a healthy life as soon as possible. So let's learn about some treatments for pneumonia.

In addition to bed rest, drinking plenty of water, oxygen inhalation, and active expectoration, the most important part of pneumonia treatment is anti-infection. The treatment of bacterial pneumonia includes pathogen-targeted treatment and empirical treatment. The former selects antimicrobial drugs that are sensitive to in vitro tests based on the results of sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests; the latter mainly selects antimicrobial drugs that may cover pathogens based on the epidemiological data of pneumonia pathogens in the region. In addition, antimicrobial drugs and routes of administration are selected based on factors such as the patient's age, underlying disease, severity of the disease, and whether there is aspiration.

If pneumonia is suspected, the first dose of antibiotics should be given immediately. After the condition stabilizes, the intravenous route can be changed to oral treatment. The course of antibiotic treatment for pneumonia is at least 5 days, and most patients need 7 to 10 days or longer. Antibiotics can be discontinued when the body temperature is normal for 48 to 72 hours and there is no clinical unstable sign of pneumonia. The clinical stability criteria for pneumonia are: ① body temperature ≤ 37.8℃; ② heart rate ≤ 100 times/min; ③ respiratory rate ≤ 24 times/min; ④ blood pressure: systolic blood pressure ≥ 90mmHg; ⑤ arterial oxygen saturation ≥ 90% or PaO2 ≥ 60mmHg under breathing room air conditions; ⑥ able to eat orally; ⑦ normal mental state.

The clinical manifestations of effective treatment are a decrease in body temperature, improvement in symptoms, a stable clinical state, a gradual decrease in white blood cells or a return to normal, and delayed absorption of lesions on chest X-rays. If symptoms do not improve after 72 hours, the reasons may be: ① The drug fails to cover the pathogenic bacteria, or the bacteria are resistant. ② Infection with special pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi, viruses, etc. ③ Complications or host factors that affect efficacy (such as immunosuppression) occur. ④ Non-infectious diseases are misdiagnosed as pneumonia. ⑤ Drug fever. Careful analysis, necessary examinations, and corresponding treatment are required.

1. Community-acquired pneumonia in young adults and those without underlying diseases

Penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins and other antibiotics are used. Because the resistance rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae to macrolide antibiotics in my country is high, macrolide antibiotics are not used alone to treat pneumonia caused by this bacteria. Fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin and levofloxacin) that are specifically effective for respiratory tract infections can be used for resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

2. Elderly people, those with underlying diseases or those who need hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia

Fluoroquinolones, second/third generation cephalosporins, β-lactams/β-lactamase inhibitors, or ertapenem can be used in combination with macrolides.

3. Hospital-acquired pneumonia

Second/third generation cephalosporins, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, fluoroquinolones or carbapenems were used.

4. Severe pneumonia

Broad-spectrum, powerful antimicrobial drugs are preferred, in sufficient doses and in combination. The mortality rate is higher in patients with insufficient or unreasonable initial empirical treatment and then adjusting the antimicrobial drugs according to the etiological results than in those with correct initial treatment. For severe community-acquired pneumonia, β-lactams combined with macrolides or fluoroquinolones are used; fluoroquinolones and aztreonam are used for those who are allergic to penicillin. For hospital-acquired pneumonia, fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides can be used in combination with any of the anti-pseudomonal β-lactams, broad-spectrum penicillins/β-lactamase inhibitors, and carbapenems, and vancomycin, teicoplanin, or linezolid can be used if necessary.

Since the causes of pneumonia are different, the treatments are also different. We must cooperate with the doctor's treatment, take medication on time, eat a reasonable diet, and do appropriate physical exercise to help the body recover, so as to avoid serious illness, complications, delayed treatment, and worsening of the condition.