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What is pneumonia in kids and what can I do at home?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that usually gets better at home with rest, fluids, and fever medicine.
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What it is
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower part of the airways, the lungs [7]. It is a common illness caused by viruses or, less often, by bacteria [7]. In children under 2 years old, viruses are the most common cause, so antibiotics are not always needed [3]. The infection spreads through contact with secretions from a person with a respiratory infection, via coughs and sneezes [7].
The most common symptoms are fever and cough [1]. Babies often seem listless or irritable [1]. Older children may have abdominal, chest, or side pain [1]. Breathing difficulty is less common and shows up as fast or labored breathing, with the belly moving a lot, ribs showing, or the chest sinking in [1]. In children under 5 with cough or breathing trouble, pneumonia is diagnosed by fast breathing or chest retractions [8]. Wheezing is more common in viral infections [8]. In general, these are mild infections that can be treated at home and recover fully without after-effects [3]. Your child can usually return to normal activity in 4-5 days [3].
What you can do at home
- Offer fluids often to help loosen secretions so they can be cleared by coughing [4].
- It is normal for your child to have little appetite. Do not force them to eat [4].
- For young children, do nasal washes with saline solution when needed [4].
- Keep your child semi-upright for sleeping [4].
- Give fever medicine (ibuprofen or paracetamol) if there is fever with discomfort or pain [4].
- If an antibiotic was prescribed, follow the dose, interval, and duration correctly [4].
- Keep the room humidified and well ventilated, free of tobacco smoke [4].
- Do not give cough-suppressing syrups, because coughing is the main way to clear secretions [4]. Mucolytics and expectorants are also not recommended [4].
- If your child feels well and has no fever, they can go back to school [5]. If there is fever, wait at least 24 hours without it [5].
- Expect fatigue with exercise for the first few days. Relative rest is recommended, avoiding sports activity [5].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Go to urgent care if your child has any of these signs [6]:
- Poor general condition, listless, sleepy, or very irritable [6].
- Breathing difficulty: breathing fast, ribs showing, belly moving a lot, chest sinking in [6].
- Chest or side pain when breathing [6].
- Poor color [6].
- Cannot tolerate the prescribed treatment [6].
- Persistently refuses food and fluids [6].
Also, if an antibiotic was prescribed and fever continues after 48-72 hours, go for a check-up at your health center [2]. Watch for poor general condition, breathing difficulty, or chest or side pain when breathing [2]. Complications are uncommon [2]. If your child has poor general condition, chest pain, or breathing difficulty, go to urgent care to rule out complications [6].
Common questions
How is pneumonia diagnosed? The pediatrician considers symptoms and a physical exam [3]. X-ray and ultrasound can support the diagnosis, but they are not essential to confirm it [3].
How can pneumonia be prevented? The most effective measures are frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol solutions, using disposable tissues, and adequate ventilation at home [6]. Routine vaccination, including the flu vaccine, also protects against pneumonia [6]. Vaccination against Hib, pneumococcus, measles, and whooping cough is the most effective way to prevent pneumonia [10]. Good nutrition, starting with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, helps improve natural defenses [10]. Correcting environmental factors like indoor air pollution also helps [10].
Is pneumonia serious? Pneumonia represents 14% of all deaths in children under 5, and in 2019 it caused the death of 740,180 children [9]. However, in general, childhood pneumonia has a good outcome with oral treatment at home [6]. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, but only one third of children with pneumonia receive the antibiotics they need [9].
Sources
[1] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁLES SON LOS SÍNTOMAS?”, p. 1 [2] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿QUÉ SÍNTOMAS DEBEMOS VIGILAR EN CASA QUE NOS PUEDEN INDICAR QUE ESTÁ PEOR?”, p. 2 [3] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁL ES LA EVOLUCIÓN ESPERABLE?”, p. 1, 2 [4] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿QUÉ PODEMOS HACER EN CASA CUANDO TIENE NEUMONÍA?”, p. 1 [5] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁNDO PUEDE VOLVER A LA GUARDERÍA/ ESCUELA?¿CUÁNDO PUEDE REALIZAR ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA?”, p. 2 [6] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁNDO DEBEMOS CONSULTAR EN UN SERVICIO DE URGENCIAS?”, p. 2 [7] SEUP — “Neumonía. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿QUÉ ES LA NEUMONÍA?”, p. 1 [8] WHO — “Neumonía infantil”, section “Formas de presentación”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia [9] WHO — “Neumonía infantil”, section “Datos y cifras”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia [10] WHO — “Neumonía infantil”, section “Prevención”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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