Duration of pneumonia

The duration of pneumonia in children often varies. Not every course is the same. How long a pneumonia lasts depends, among other things, on how severe it is.

In addition, the general condition of the child is an important factor that influences the duration of the pneumonia. In the case of previous illnesses, immune deficiencies or chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or similar, pneumonia often takes weeks to heal. A mild pneumonia with a good general condition of the child usually lasts 7 to 14 days under good therapy.

When should I go to hospital?

Moderately severe to severe pneumonia is treated in hospital. But when does a child have to go to hospital? It is not always clear when a child has to go to hospital and when not.

There are, however, some reasons that speak more in favor of hospitalization. Any prolonged fever in children for which there is no obvious reason should be clinically clarified. Furthermore, a very poor general condition, for example, in the case of serious previous illnesses, is a reason to go to the clinic with pneumonia.

Children with impaired consciousness should also go to hospital. Another important value is the oxygen content in the arterial blood (oxygen saturation). Values below 94% are questionable and should be clarified.

If the circulation is restricted and blood pressure drops, a hospital stay is also necessary. An extreme increase in the respiratory rate is also a reason for hospitalization. But what exactly does this mean for the parents of the affected child?

When should they visit a clinic? General recommendations are difficult to make at this point, but there are a few points to consider. If the child appears to be mentally absent or unconscious, if his or her general condition worsens considerably or if the symptoms do not improve under outpatient therapy, it is recommended to visit an emergency room. Also in case of an unstable circulatory situation, such as fainting or dizziness, you should visit a clinic with your child.