Pneumonia

[Debbie6221]

Let’s talk pneumonia…
My DD started out with a virus last week but when night after night she was having fevers I took her to the doctor where he said she has walking pneumonia. Scary, right? Well, I was wondering if you guys would just tell me what you know about it. She has been sick going on two weeks now and the doctor said she STILL couldn’t go back to school. Is this for her sake? She has been on antibiotics for 5 days already and is just acting like she has a cold & cough. Is she contagious still? What should I look for…..
Is pneumonia anytime fluid gets in the lungs? Will she be more proned to it from this point on? Opinions?
Thanks!

 

[Harlie]

Walking pneumonia (a.k.a. mycoplasma pneumonia or atypical pneumonia) is a term used to describe a mild case of pneumonia. It is a lung infection that is caused by the mycoplasma pneumoniae organism. Walking pneumonia is different from other types of pneumonia in that, even if untreated, walking pneumonia would not cause a person to be confined to a bed or require a hospital stay.

Signs and Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia

Signs and symptoms of walking pneumonia usually include a severe cough, fever, abdominal pain, headaches, and chills. (See a full list of possible signs and symptoms of walking pneumonia.)

Cause of Walking Pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the organism that causes walking pneumonia, can be contagious if contact with the infected person is prolonged. Walking pneumonia is transmitted through airborne droplets, which are dispersed when a person talks, sneezes, coughs or laughs.

The Onset of Walking Pneumonia

The onset of walking pneumonia takes approximately 1 to 3 weeks, beginning gradually, with the earliest sign being a decrease in energy. Soon thereafter, cold-like symptoms begin. You will be able to distinguish the difference between walking pneumonia and a common cold because walking pneumonia will get worse over 2 weeks.

What to Expect with Walking Pneumonia

You may experience a fever, sore throat, runny nose or other cold-like symptoms. You may also notice that you cough gets worse at night. This is because fluid accumulates in your lungs and moves up higher in the respiratory tract when lying flat. To alleviate your cough, prop up your head slightly so your upper body is at an incline.

Treatment for Walking Pneumonia

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for your walking pneumonia. Any number of antibiotics may be prescribed, but the most common antibiotics for walking pneumonia are erythromycin, clarithromycin, and tetracyclines. As the antibiotics fight the infection, you will gradually get better over the next week.
More information about pneumonia

Source: MayoClinic.com


Here is some info I found I hope it helps! It was interesting to know too.

 

[madmom1030]

I hope your dd is feeling better. My dd5 has had it twice. We were told to keep her home for a week each time. I think this is more for them so they can rest and their body can fight the infection. You are more likely to get it again if you have had it before.

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks Ladies! I just feel bad she has now been out of school so much and now he said to keep her home until after our appointment on Friday. Plus, President's Day is Monday so that means she hasn't gone to school in....18 days!!!!!(including weekends, institute days and holidays). We are all going crazy! I feel bad she will miss Valentine's Day too since she seems so much better.

Also, do you think the kids will be contagious this weekend? We have a wedding to go to and our baby sitters are our cousins with a two year old.

 

[Harlie]

In theory she should no longer be contagious after a week of antibiotoics

 

[shortbun]

I doubt contagion is the isssue. She is in a weakened condition, immune suppressed and could easily catch something else that would complicate her health. Big crowds, classrooms, grocery stores and so forth are places where sick people are always present.

 

[Debbie6221]

I doubt contagion is the isssue. She is in a weakened condition, immune suppressed and could easily catch something else that would complicate her health. Big crowds, classrooms, grocery stores and so forth are places where sick people are always present.

OK So she should stay home for her own good but it will be OK for others to be by her at our home (IE Grandparents, sitters,etc.)


????

 

[MSSANDRA]

I doubt contagion is the isssue. She is in a weakened condition, immune suppressed and could easily catch something else that would complicate her health. Big crowds, classrooms, grocery stores and so forth are places where sick people are always present.

Agreed. We just came back from the dr.for the allergy shot and they are FULL of the flu. We have complete different entrances/ exam areas so not too bad but they say that stuff is everywhere. Though she may feel back to normal, she will exaust easily. DS has had the same stuff and it really took a while to get his energy back. plan something fun for Friday and enjoy the day together. She really should not be contagious any longer but I would check with the dr. just to be sure before I let family and freinds in the house.

Prayers for a peacful recovery.

 

[Debbie6221]

Agreed. We just came back from the dr.for the allergy shot and they are FULL of the flu. We have complete different entrances/ exam areas so not too bad but they say that stuff is everywhere. Though she may feel back to normal, she will exaust easily. DS has had the same stuff and it really took a while to get his energy back. plan something fun for Friday and enjoy the day together. She really should not be contagious any longer but I would check with the dr. just to be sure before I let family and freinds in the house.

Prayers for a peacful recovery.

Thank you....

 

[katiesmom2]

My TWO kids just got over walking pneumonia. What a nightmare! After 2 days of antibiotics and prescription cough medicine DD's head and face became completely swollen! She wasn't having trouble breathing, but I returned to the doctor of course and was told it could have been part of the virus? HUH? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

Both of them are feeling better after a week and DD has returned to preschool.

I hope your daughter feels better soon!

 

[karajeboo]

Debbie - when I had pneumonia (not walking, just regular) my Dr said I was never contagious as I was worried having a then 4 year old in the house. But I was told to stay away from work for my benefit because he wanted me to concentrate on getting well, I literally stayed in bed for 4 days straight! Not to mention, the minute I got out of bed, DH was ready for me to get back to normal (laundry, cleaning, etc!). But that's another story! Oh, and I was told that I would be more prone to pneumonia in the future.

 

[Debbie6221]

IT JUST BITES DOESN'T IT! I WAS HOPING SHE WOULDN'T BE PRONE TO IT BUT FIGURED SHE WOULD BE. OH WELL... One day at a time.
Thanks everyone for your comments and thoughts.

katiesmom2....glad you made it through it.


I heard a horror story of a little one needing surgery to get the fluid out of the lung because it went untreated for too long.

 

[katiesmom2]

IT JUST BITES DOESN'T IT! I WAS HOPING SHE WOULDN'T BE PRONE TO IT BUT FIGURED SHE WOULD BE. OH WELL... One day at a time.
Thanks everyone for your comments and thoughts.

katiesmom2....glad you made it through it.


I heard a horror story of a little one needing surgery to get the fluid out of the lung because it went untreated for too long.

Thanks Debbie. I hope your daughter feels better soon (and you too - it is stressful for us mommies).

Surgery? Oh dear!

 

[novajet]

I hope she's feeling better soon!

 

[Debbie6221]

I hope she's feeling better soon!

Thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

Whatever the doctor says, still contagious or not contagious, I suggest that the sitters keep their 2yo separated from the sittees. Food should not be touched with hands.

>>> swollen face and head
Could be a reaction to the antibiotic. No way to prove that, though, until/unless the same antibiotic was used at a later date with the same result.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Debbie6221]

I brought DD to the doctor on Fridat expecting her to be given the clear and she still had fluid in her lungs (lower left lung). The Dr. said to come back on Wednesday and then we would see if she could return to school & outside activities at this point.

Does this seem familiar to any of you?
Do you think it will be cleared up by Wednesday?
Do you think at this point she could relapse?
What are any of your thoughts?

She is acting at home like she has a cold & cough. That's it. Thank goodness she is just missing preschool. Including weekends and holidays it will be 20 days before she returns. That is IF she can go back on Thursday!

 

[wilderness01]

If it's just preschool then I wouldn't sweat it at all. As a matter of fact I wouldn't send her back until she was 100% because PS is like a petri dish, full of germs. Kids that age aren't good about keeping their fingers out of their nose/mouth and then not touching shared objects, hence infecting or reinfecting everyone if the said child has a "little cold" but wasn't "sick enough" to be kept home. That little cold in one child many times got my child very ill, but that is for another thread.

I would also look for another babysitter. A 2 year old doesn't have as good of an immune system and I wouldn't chance the child getting sick. Good luck.

We have been through this many, many, many times with our kids and it is stressful.

 

[Debbie6221]

If it's just preschool then I wouldn't sweat it at all. As a matter of fact I wouldn't send her back until she was 100% because PS is like a petri dish, full of germs. Kids that age aren't good about keeping their fingers out of their nose/mouth and then not touching shared objects, hence infecting or reinfecting everyone if the said child has a "little cold" but wasn't "sick enough" to be kept home. That little cold in one child many times got my child very ill, but that is for another thread.

I would also look for another babysitter. A 2 year old doesn't have as good of an immune system and I wouldn't chance the child getting sick. Good luck.

We have been through this many, many, many times with our kids and it is stressful.

Thank you for your thoughts.

We DID end up going to the wedding. My cousins actually dropped their son off by her parents (my Aunt and Uncle's) and still came so we could still go.

 

[disney[xo]sweetie]

My dd6 (noelle) has the major flu. We took her into the doctor yesterday after she got very light headed and "couldn't see anything" for a few minutes. She then said that before that she was "breathing funny" shes complaining of a headache, tummyache and is throwing up. The doctor said the blackout was because of probably over heating since she was wearing her winter coat in the house when it happened, and that she has influenza. The big one. What I'm scared of is having her twin sister (brittany) get it too, since they are inseprable. Any advice?