Question
Over the past two days, my son has had a cold with coughing and a fever on his forehead. The fever medicine did not improve his condition, and he seems to be in low spirits. I am worried that he might have pneumonia. How can it be diagnosed?
Answer
If a child shows symptoms like fever and cough, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for lung auscultation. If dry or wet rales or sputum sounds are detected during auscultation, it is usually a preliminary diagnosis of pneumonia. However, for a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to combine auxiliary tests such as blood tests and chest X-rays to further confirm. If the child’s condition is poor, immediate medical attention should be sought to avoid complications such as heart failure.