Infant Pneumonia

Dear Ask The Doctor: My 5 month old grandson lives in Thailand. He was diagnosed with broncopnuemonia 3 weeks ago.I just got off the phone with his mother and I heard him coughing. She said he doesn't sleep well or eat well because of the mucus. It sounds like a wet cough. Is there anything I can tell his mother to try at home to help ease the coughing? Would you recommend a vaporizer or humidifier?

Dear Debra: I understand your concern about your grandsons condition. Pneumonia is an inflammation of your lungs, usually caused by infection. Bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites can cause pneumonia. Usually in infants is caused by a virus called RSV. The body normally uses a number of defenses, such as cough and the normal microorganisms (flora) in the body, to prevent harmful organisms from invading and overwhelming your airways. However, numerous conditions, including malnutrition and systemic illness, can lower your protection and allow harmful organisms to get past your bodys defenses and into your lungs. Very young children, whose immune systems arent fully developed, also are at increased risk of pneumonia.Depending on the entity causing the Pneumonia your grandson will receive either Antibiotics for bacterial infection or just symptomatic medication if the cause is viral. Since he is still producing mucus, it would not be recommended to stop the cough given that its a defense mechanism that the body uses to get rid of the mucus containing dead cells and bacteria/virus. Drinking plenty of fluids will help with the process also Mucolytics would be assist but a previous evaluation by the pediatrician must be done prior to start it. I wish him a prompt recovery.