Viral Pneumonia: Incidence and Treatment In Children

Seasonal diseases time and again have been reported to be major concern in the city of Hyderabad. The city reported rise in viral pneumonia, a season influenza post monsoon season in 2014, according to an article published in the Deccan Chronicle in September 2014. Pneumonia is caused by many agents such as bacteria, fungal or virus.

In India, pneumonia kills nearly 397,000 children every year and is the leading cause of infant mortality, says an article published in India Times in August 2013. Children under the age of five are at high risk of getting the disease. However, it is both preventable and treatable. Hospitals in Hyderabad offer comprehensive treatment to this infection both for kids and adults. 

What is Viral Pneumonia?

It is irritation and inflammation of the lungs caused due to a virus. Many viruses are the causative agents of such an inflammation, such as the influenza. You can get a virus by touching a contaminated object or by breathing in the virus present in the atmosphere around you. You can also get a the disease if a virus, already present in your body, travels to your lungs. Senior citizens and children under the age of five are at high risk of getting the disease because their bodies have a harder time fighting off the virus unlike people with strong immune system. 

Symptoms

The symptoms develop slowly over several days unlike other forms of the disease.  Here are 

symptoms that you must watch out for.

• Cough (which may be accompanied with mucus and in serious conditions, with bloody mucus)
• Constant fever above 100 degrees accompanied with chills. 
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Muscle pain or tiredness
• Chest Pain 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache

If you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms in your child, you should seek immediate medical help from any of the reputed Hyderabad hospitals.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Lung X-ray/ CT Scan is done to assess the damage to the lungs (which is specially necessary for young children and infants)as well as mucus tests and blood tests in order to confirm the disease.

Antiviral medicines are given in order to prevent or treat the infection caused by the virus. Although antibiotics do not treat this type of pneumonia but it is given in order to prevent bacterial pneumonia. Steroids may also help to open air passages to facilitate easy breathing. 

Taking extra care in the monsoon season is necessary to prevent catching the infection. You can also contact children's hospitals in Hyderabad to get your child vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine.

Treatment of Cerebral Palsy in Young Children

Nearly 15 to 20 percent of total handicapped children in India suffer from Cerebral Palsy, according to an article published in the PubMed Central Journal list Jan-March 2013. Cerebral Palsy refers to movement or postural disorders caused due to damage to the developing brain before or at the time of birth. See a child specialist if you notice any postural or movement anomalies in your child for early diagnosis.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

It has been classified according to the type and also according to the body area that it affects.

Classification According to Type

• Spastic – increased muscle tone called stiff muscle. 
• Athetoid, Dyskinetic or Dystonic – difficulty in controlling muscle and posture.
• Axatic – problems with balance and control and on selectivity of movements.
• Mixed – combination of all of the above 

Classification According to Affected Body Part

• Quadriplegia – movement difficulties with the limb
• Hemiplegia – problems with movement of one side of the body
• Diplegia – difficulties with movements in legs. May also have difficulty ion movements with fine dextrous movements of the hand.
• Monoplegia – problems with one limb

The sign of the disease starts to show as early as 12-18 months of life unless it is very mild. Some children with cerebral palsy might not have any issue at all while other may have a host of them. Early intervention helps those affected, to reach their full potential. Seek medical advice for early diagnosis at a specialty child care hospital. There is no cure of this disease but treatment can lead to improved quality of life.

How Does Physiotherapy Helps?

Physiotherapy in CP patients can help to take care of stiffness of muscles and joints, helps to improve balance, stability, symmetry and control of movement. It also helps in development of gross motor skills, improved posture ultimately leading to improved confidence ad quality of life. After the therapy of children with cerebral palsy lasting for half a year, a statistically significant improvement in both Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were achieved, according to a study published in the biomedjournal which was performed on 30 patients.

Apart from physiotherapy, children with CP may require speech therapy, occupational therapy, medication to treat stiffness and in some cases surgery as well. Some of the best treatment for CP are available in various child hospitals across India.