Viral Pneumonia: How to Care for Your Child

Pneumonia is an infection in the airways of the lungs. It is caused by different types of germs, such as viruses or bacteria. Your child's pneumonia was caused by a virus. Most kids with viral pneumonia feel better within a week, but the cough may continue for a few weeks. Help your child get better by following these care instructions.

• If your health care provider prescribed any medicines, give as instructed.

• If your child has a fever and your health care provider says it's OK, give one of the following exactly as instructed:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand)

• Don't give your child aspirin because it's been linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

• To soothe your child's cough:

  • Run a cool-mist humidifier, especially when your child is sleeping. Clean after each use.

  • If your child is older than 12 months, it's OK to give 1–2 teaspoons of honey at night. If your child is under 12 months old, do not give honey.

  • If your child is over 6 years old and is not at risk for choking, it's OK to give a cough drop or hard candy.

  • Don't give any cough or cold medicines if your child is under 6 years old. They can cause serious side effects. If your child is older than 6 years, ask your health care provider if you can give cough or cold medicines.

• Let your child rest as much as needed.

• Give your child plenty of liquids. If it is easier for your child, give small amounts of liquid using a spoon or medicine dropper.

• Don't allow anyone to smoke around your child. It can make your child cough more and get more lung infections.

• Be sure your child has had all recommended vaccines. Some can help prevent certain kinds of pneumonia.

Your child:

• is not eating or drinking

• has a new or higher fever

• seems to be getting worse

• has a cough that continues for more than a few weeks

• has any of these signs of dehydration:

  • a dry or sticky mouth

  • peeing less

  • no tears when crying

Your child:

• is breathing much faster than usual

• has pulling in of the neck and chest muscles when breathing

Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe or turns blue.

How is viral pneumonia diagnosed? To diagnose viral pneumonia, health care providers look at a child's age and symptoms such as fever, chest pain, and wheezing. Sometimes they test the mucus inside the nose for viruses or do a chest X-ray.

What happens in viral pneumonia? If a virus — such as influenza (flu), parainfluenza, adenovirus, coronavirus, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — gets in the lungs, the airways swell and get irritated. They also fill with white blood cells (germ-fighting cells) and mucus. This blocks the airways and leads to coughing and sometimes breathing problems.

How is pneumonia spread? The germs that cause pneumonia can spread through coughing and sneezing, when someone touches the germ then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes, or by sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil.

To help prevent the spread of germs:

• Teach kids to cough or sneeze into a tissue or into their elbow or upper arm (not their hands).

• All family members should wash their hands well and often using soap and water. They should scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse, and dry thoroughly. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.