Managing pneumonia in children

Pneumonia is one of the commonest problems in children. It affects children under five years. It is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs.

The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when a healthy person breathes. When a child has a cold, the mucus secreted in the lungs is a great breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Over several days, the germs multiply enough to create an infected pocket of mucus and pus. When your child has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.