Pneumonia is a form of infection that affects the lungs and this infection may be caused by a variety of different organisms. Even newly born babies as young as 2 to 3 months old may develop pneumonia and this is called infant pneumonia. Such pneumonia may occur due to group B streptococcus or respiratory syncytial virus. Older babies may get pneumonia due to viral or bacterial infections.

Doctors normally classify pneumonia in two categories and these include bacterial and viral pneumonia. If the baby is afflicted with bacterial pneumonia then the symptoms may develop rather suddenly. The symptoms associated with this form of infant pneumonia include high fever, coughing along with rapid breathing. The infant will not want to eat and may seem extremely unwell or ill. The infant may have problems in breathing and flaring nostrils or sinking in of chest while breathing can be one of the signs associated with this condition.

In infant pneumonia the child may be extremely weak and may suffer from diarrhea or vomiting. The pulse may be fast and the nails and lips of the child may become blue. In most cases streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are responsible for this condition but in some cases Chlamydia pneumoniae and staphylococcus aureus may also be responsible.

Viral pneumonia is also a form of infant pneumonia and this normally starts out in the form of a cold. Over some time the symptoms get worse and the baby might have around 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit fever. The baby may also have cough that may worsen along with rapid breathing and wheezing. The pneumonia may also be accompanied with other problems such as vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. Viral form of pneumonia is normally less severe as compared to bacterial pneumonia.

While viral pneumonia cannot progress into bacterial pneumonia it can increase the susceptibility of the infant towards the bacterial form of disease. The viruses responsible for this form of pneumonia include parainfluenza virus, flu virus, adenovirus and respiratory synctial virus (RSV). The breathing of the infant is checked by the doctor and a stethoscope is used to listen to the breathing sounds so as to detect any abnormal noise.

Infant pneumonia causes the child to breathe rapidly so as to take in greater amounts of oxygen as the air sacs within the lungs might be filled with fluid. Certain tests may be conducted for diagnosis of this condition and these include blood work, chest X-ray. Likewise the nose fluid of the infant may also be examined.

The treatment of infant pneumonia is dependent on the extent of sickness of the child. In case of bacterial pneumonia the doctors may prescribe certain antibiotics. Viral pneumonia does not respond to the antibiotic treatment and this form of pneumonia may be treated by taking enough fluids along with rest. In fact replenishing fluids is extremely crucial so that the child does not get dehydrated due to the fever and rapid breathing that is observed in pneumonia.

Some other things that can be done in infant pneumonia include using a humidifier (cool mist) in the child’s room. Based on the doctor’s advice acetaminophen can be administered in some cases. A cough medication based on the doctor’s prescription may also be given to the child. In some cases treatment for bacterial pneumonia may require hospitalization of the infant.

In many cases the uncomplicated forms of pneumonia can get better in a week’s time even though the cough may last for some time. If the infant is admitted in the hospital then the blood oxygen level may be checked through a device called pulse oximetry sensor. A nasal oxygen mask may also be used so as to facilitate the breathing process. Antibiotics may be administered through IV and the infant may be given large amount of fluids.