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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Could my toddler have Chronic Pneumonia?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Could my toddler have Chronic Pneumonia?
by concerned mother of toddler, Apr 17, 2003 12:00AM
My daughter had Pneumonia at 6 months old. She showed no symptoms and did not have a cold at the time she was diagnosed or even before then. She then had Walking Pneumonia at 14 months and now at almost 18 months she seems to have Pneumonia again. Could she have Chronic Pneumonia? Is there anything we can do to prevent this? Should we visit a specialist to see what may be the cause of this? Everytime she has a cold I am paranoid about it turning into Pneumonia and I hate seeing her go through all the tests at the doctor's office all the time. Please help I am desperate for answers. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Apr 23, 2003 12:00AM
, Apr 23, 2003 12:00AM
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung. This is most commonly due to an infection. Usually there is coughing, fever, and discolored sputum. Some children may continue with their usual activity level without their parents being aware that they have pneumonia. It is possible to have pneumonia without having any severe symptoms. Generally this happens in the early stages. This is called walking pneumonia. It is best diagnosed by chest x-ray in addition to a thorough examination. Please read our Pneumonia MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/pneumonia.html for more information.
The best advice I can give is that your daughter be seen by a pediatric pulmonologist. This lung specialist will evaluate the nature of her pneumonias. Generally there is something else causing the pneumonia when it occurs 3 times in a year. This could be due to a weakened immune system. Another cause could be aspiration. This is the entry of foreign materials, including food and gastric contents, into the windpipe. Another potential reason is that this is not recurrent pneumonia, but rather asthma or some other chronic lung condition. To prevent further pneumonias the cause will need to be found and treated.
The best advice I can give is that your daughter be seen by a pediatric pulmonologist. This lung specialist will evaluate the nature of her pneumonias. Generally there is something else causing the pneumonia when it occurs 3 times in a year. This could be due to a weakened immune system. Another cause could be aspiration. This is the entry of foreign materials, including food and gastric contents, into the windpipe. Another potential reason is that this is not recurrent pneumonia, but rather asthma or some other chronic lung condition. To prevent further pneumonias the cause will need to be found and treated.
If you can have your daughter seen at Nat'l Jewish Medical & Research Center, in Denver, Colorado, YOU WOULD GET ANSWERS!
Absolutely, YES--BRING YOUR DAUGHTER TO A SPECIALIST (Pediatric pulmonologist/lung doctor)! Do this as soon as possible!
In addition to seeing the pediatric lung doc specialist, consider possible pediatric GERD (see a pediatric Gastro-enterologist), and possible indoor air pollution problems.
Good luck to you.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com