Pneumonia in older children

Pneumonia is an inflammation at the level of the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar spaces, and/or interstitium.

Etiology of pneumonia in older children

 * The most common agents in children over 5 years of age:
 * bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae
 * rare agents:
 * respiratory viruses: adenoviruses, influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, RSV
 * bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, vzácně Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella pneumophila .

Therapy

 * Empirical antibiotic treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in older children:
 * mild pneumonia - amoxicillin p.o. (50-90 mg / kg / day in 3 doses),
 * severe pneumonia - penicillin G i.v. (100-200,000 IU / kg / day or more in 4-6 doses), in case of allergy, cephalosporin III. generation i.v can be used instead.
 * symptomatic treatment:
 * expectorants, mucolytics, antitussives for irritating dry cough
 * antipyretics
 * oxygen therapy for respiratory insufficiency
 * nebulization therapy
 * regime measures:
 * adequate supply of fluids, calories, vitamins
 * respiratory rehabilitation
 * Functional lung examination is indicated 6 weeks after the pneumonia has subsided.

Related articles

 * Pneumonia (pediatrics) • Infant pneumonia • Pneumonia
 * Bacterial pneumonia • Atypical pneumonia • Abscessive pneumonia • Aspiration pneumonia
 * X-ray examination in lower respiratory tract inflammation • Clinical evaluation of the severity of pneumonia