treatment for pneumonia

[Luv'sTink]

Last night at baseball practice a friend told me she took her son to the doctor because he was congested and coughing bad. She said the doctor told her he was one step away from pneumonia, gave him a breathing treatment in the office and a prescription.

She said the doctor said he could participate in his many after school sports as long as he didn't breathe in cold air. He has to put a scarf to his mouth when he runs outside to keep the cold air out but he could run inside.

Is this normal treatment for "one step away from pneumonia." I know he doesn't have pneumonia yet, but I always thought it was not something to play around with and people were usually told to rest. I may have a different idea of pneumonia because when I was very young we were told my 37 year old uncle died of "walking" pneumonia, and my parents are advised to have a pneumonia shot, otherwise I don't know personally of anyone who has had it. There seems to be more than one type too.

I tried to look up treatment of, but was only getting symptoms.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am actually one step away from pneumonia myself right now (recovering from Influenza/H1N1).

There's a fine line between moving around and having the energy/oxygen to do so. Kids are probably a little more resilient, but I, personally, would not want my child running around in the midst of borderline pneumonia (or certain other illnesses for that matter; my DS had a norwalk type virus last week and though he was better, I still kept him home from baseball practice for two nights because he was wiped out and it wasn't a good idea to tax a system that was already depleted, IMO).

Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, interferes with the air/oxygen exchange, meaning there is less oxygen available in the body to use. Does it make sense to then push the body so it needs *more* oxygen (than it would at rest)? IMO, no. Rest is generally advised so the lung tissues can heal and the body can stay as oxygenated as it can. Then, activity gradually increases as healing occurs.

 

[golfgal]

There are different types of pneumonia-viral/bacterial. Wearing a scarf is not a "treatment" for pneumonia. That is like saying having wet hair outside causes a cold. That doctor sounds very old school. As far as practicing, as long as the kid is up to it, why not. Kids are much better about knowing their limitations then adults usually. My youngest is fairly susceptible to pneumonia-gets it at least once/year. He is usually wiped out and naps several times/day when he has pneumonia though.

 

[shortbun]

As most of you know, I'm a conservative, protective parent. If the boy is able to run, it will help clear his lungs and keep things from settling in them. I had pneumonia a few years ago and almost got it this winter from influenza. Both times my doctor told me to do as much deep breathing I could or build up my lungs. This winter, I think I avoided it because I immediately began some real agressive breathing excersizes. The cold air? I'm not sure I would have exposed him to that. If he's otherwise healthy-no compromised immunity from other things-he should be ok.

 

[Luv'sTink]

There are different types of pneumonia-viral/bacterial. Wearing a scarf is not a "treatment" for pneumonia. That is like saying having wet hair outside causes a cold. That doctor sounds very old school. As far as practicing, as long as the kid is up to it, why not. Kids are much better about knowing their limitations then adults usually. My youngest is fairly susceptible to pneumonia-gets it at least once/year. He is usually wiped out and naps several times/day when he has pneumonia though.

True, but a lot of adults wont let kids set those limitations for themselves because they are JUST kids.

Thanks for the replies, like I said I have no experience other than hearing how people are sometimes hospitalized for it and my uncle died from it.

 

[npmommie]

I agree with pea and me
kid are much more resilient than us old folks but I think the mom should allow some rest then getting back to baseball, but keep an eye on how he is doing.

the theory of the scarf is so that cold air cannot reach the lungs, cold air can be an irritant, and in lungs that are already irritated by virus it can add to the problem, cold air hitting the lungs also makes them produce histamine and wheezing can occur.
so any irritant to the lungs should be avoided.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well hey, I just got back from dd's PED and she has the FLU, confirmed through a swab test.

Now she had childhood asthma so anytime she gets something she has to be careful. Very easy for her to get bronchitis or pneumonia. SO far, so good.

I guess if you are healthy and have no complications then I guess, play at your own risk.

However I think the doctor is stupid for telling him that. If something happens it could come back to haunt him.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well hey, I just got back from dd's PED and she has the FLU, confirmed through a swab test.

Welcome to the club. My DH and I both have it.

I took all I had in me just to crawl out from under two blankets to get into the bathroom a few feet away!

 

[njmom47]

I am recovering from pneumonia (right lung). It really wiped me out for about a week; dr prescribed a strong antibiotic, lots of fluids and bedrest.
My oldest dd had asthma (cold-weather induced mostly) and I would not let her participate in anything physical in the cold, "scarf over her mouth" or not!
Pneumonia can be scary; a friend of mine had her neighbor pass away a couple of weeks ago from complications. I think your instinct (and your child's as well at a certain age) would dictate what I would allow my child to do.

 

[MedicGoofy]

I understand the 'scarf around the mouth' comment made by your doctor. I get bronchitis every year in the winter. Usually lasts for several weeks. While I feel tired and I know I need the rest physically, I can still get out and do what i normally do.

When cold air hits my lungs, it irritates the lining of the lungs, sending me into a coughing fit that makes me very short of breath. It is the same for someone who has pneumonia. There is inflammation already to the lungs, breathing cold air, irritating your lungs, just makes that worse. Wearing the scarf, keeps the air you breathe, nice and warm.

While pneumonia CAN lead to problems in oxygen exchange, it doesn't always. If he is being treated with antibiotics and breathing treatments, his oxygen levels could be absolutely normal, even better than yours

It's usually when people haven't been treated, or have waited too long, that you see them with low O2 levels.

If your friends son is getting extremely tired, or short of breath, then make him rest. BUT he needs to be active, he needs to make that 'junk' in his chest move and cough it up!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

While pneumonia CAN lead to problems in oxygen exchange, it doesn't always. If he is being treated with antibiotics and breathing treatments, his oxygen levels could be absolutely normal, even better than yours

congested and coughing bad

one step away from pneumonia

OP = highly unlikely.

 

[rie'smom]

Fine if the doc said he could participate but what about everyone around him? Pneumonia can be contagious.

 

[Bilberry]

Don't know if that is normal treatments for pneumonia, but hope with warmer, sunnier days around the corner that your friends son feels better soon. I was reading an article this morning about the US being at the peak of flu season.

Flu Season is Here
http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2011/03/flu-season-is-here.html