What to Do When a Newborn Has Pneumonia and Fever

Question

My child is eight months old and has pneumonia. After 11 days of intravenous fluids, the medication was stopped and the fever returned after three days. What are the reasons for the newborn’s pneumonia recurring with fever? What should I do?

Answer

Pediatric pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by various pathogens or other factors. Most cases of pneumonia are caused by acute upper respiratory tract infections or bronchitis that spread downward, or secondary to respiratory tract infections such as measles. Common pathogens in pneumonia include bacteria (such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, etc.) and viruses (such as parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, adenovirus, etc.). Some children with pneumonia develop bacterial infections on top of viral infections, known as “mixed pneumonia.” In recent years, due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, there has been an increase in pneumonia caused by drug-resistant strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi. It is recommended that you seek treatment at a professional hospital.