Question
My two-year-old child has been diagnosed with pneumonia by the doctor, and they suggested intravenous treatment. The symptoms don’t seem severe! Are there any non-intravenous treatment options?
Answer
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that occurs when viral or bacterial infections spread from the upper respiratory tract. Generally, pneumonia requires intravenous treatment, as severe cases can lead to sepsis and heart failure. If not promptly controlled, a child may exhibit difficulty breathing, cyanosis, loss of appetite, and listlessness, and may even suffer from shock, heart failure, and respiratory failure as complications. Intravenous treatment provides effective therapy with antiviral medications that oral medications cannot achieve, helping to prevent the progression of the illness.