Question
A 2-year and 10-month-old child has been suffering from severe coughing in recent days. After taking traditional Chinese medicine for three consecutive days, the symptoms have improved but the coughing persists. If diagnosed with pneumonia, how many days of infusion treatment is typically required?
Answer
If a child is diagnosed with pneumonia, the general recommendation for infusion treatment duration is at least one week. During the treatment, close attention should be paid to the child’s body temperature changes. If an abnormal temperature persists for more than five days, it is advisable to conduct a throat swab test to confirm whether there is a mycoplasma infection, as mycoplasma infection may cause recurrent fever and the treatment method is different from that of a common bacterial infection. Additionally, during pneumonia treatment, it is recommended that the child’s diet be light and liquid, and that they eat small meals frequently. Regarding the consumption of carp, due to its high protein content which is difficult to digest and absorb, it is advised to avoid eating it during treatment. Instead, consume it after the child has recovered to strengthen their constitution.