my 4 year old has pneumonia

[mole77]

My four year old Mimi has been in hospital for a week with pneumonia, the xrays that have been taken do not show any improvement although her temperature is now back to normal, she has had iv antibiotics and oral antibiotics, and is now home. Because she had pneumonina when she was two in her right lung, this time its in her upper left lung they have tested her for other things and we have to go back in six weeks for a check up and more blood tests and xrays. We are due to fly to cyprus for two weeks on the 11th of june, one docter said we shouldnt fly and two have said she can, i will hapilly cancel the trip but think it may do her the world of good. Any advice please, are there any risks to her health if i take her?

[mole77]

Thank you for your advice, my daughter is a lot better thanks.
Although a day after comming out of hospital she fell and fractured a bone in her elbow, poor little thing has not got any fat on her bones where she lost weight being so poorly, i wonder how much more bad luck she can have.
Thanks again
Kindest regards Maria

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

My most sincere apologies for your question not being addressed. I posted a response on 5/29 that does not appear to have been posted to the site.

How is your daughter now? I hope improved.

The usual guidance regarding flying after pneumonia is that once a person has been taking antibiotics for 48-72 hours, without a fever for at least 24 hours, and their pulse oximetry is "normal" (this is a measurement of oxygen in the blood), then a person is "okay" for flying.

Assuming that your daughter has continued to improve and she has met the criteria above, she is likely to tolerate the flight, not be contagious, and hopefully enjoy the vacation.

All the best,

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.