During cold and flu season, you may find yourself battling even more than the common cold. Pneumonia is a bit more severe than a common cold or the flu and can have a severe effect on your child if it is left untreated. Express ER in Harker Height has provided some tips on preventing pneumonia as well as how to care for your child once they have been diagnosed with pneumonia.
Prevention Tips
The best way to treat pneumonia is to avoid contracting it in the first place. Let’s discuss some ways you could prevent illness in your child during the winter months.
– Keep children away from sick individuals. If a child shows signs of illness, such as a runny nose or sneezing, keep the child separated from healthy children.
– Get your child vaccinated. This is a highly effective way to protect your child from the bacteria that causes pneumonia.
– Consider flu shots to prevent the flu from turning into pneumonia.
– Wash hands often and use hand sanitizer.
– Avoid sharing items with others.
Tips for At Home Care
If you suspect that your child has pneumonia, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If you’d rather not wait, or if symptoms are severe, visit a 24-hour emergency room in Harker Heights to get immediate care from medical professionals. If the illness is severe, it may result in hospitalization in an ER in Harker Heights. To care for your child at home, here are some tips.
– Administer antibiotics to your child at the same time each day.
– Do not stop giving antibiotics until your child has shown no symptoms for several days.
– Check with a medical professional about cough and cold medicines.
– Check your child’s temperature. Anything over 100.4 F is a fever, and you may need to visit an emergency room in Harker Heights.
– Keep your child hydrated, as severe hydration can lead to a visit to the emergency room in 76548.
– Allow your child to rest and use a humidifier to help with breathing.