Pneumonia - children - discharge

What Happened in the Hospital:

Your child has pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. In the hospital, the doctors and nurses helped your child breathe better. They also gave your child medicine to help get rid of the germs that caused the pneumonia. And they made sure your child got enough liquids.

What to Expect at Home:

Most children will still have some symptoms of pneumonia after they leave the hospital.

• Your child' s coughing will slowly get better over 7 to 14 days.
• Your child' s sleeping and eating may take up to a week to return to normal.
• You may need to take time off work to care for your child.

What Happened in the Hospital:

Your child has pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. In the hospital, the doctors and nurses helped your child breathe better. They also gave your child medicine to help get rid of the germs that caused the pneumonia. And they made sure your child got enough liquids.

What to Expect at Home:

Most children will still have some symptoms of pneumonia after they leave the hospital.

• Your child' s coughing will slowly get better over 7 to 14 days.
• Your child' s sleeping and eating may take up to a week to return to normal.
• You may need to take time off work to care for your child.

Home Care:

Breathing warm, moist (wet) air helps loosen the sticky mucus that may be choking your child. These things may help:

• Place a warm, wet washcloth loosely over your child's nose and mouth.
• Fill a humidifier with warm water and have your child breathe in the warm mist.

Do not use steam vaporizers because they can cause burns.

Tap your child' s chest gently a few times a day as they lay with their head lower than their chest. This can help bring up mucus from the lungs.

Make sure everyone washes their hands with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand cleaner before they touch your child. Try to keep other children away from your child.

DO NOT allow anyone to smoke in the house, the car, or anywhere near your child.

Ask your doctor about shots for your child to prevent other infections.

• A flu shot
• A pneumonia vaccine

Eating and Drinking:

Make sure your child drinks enough:

• Offer breast milk or formula if your child is younger than 12 months.
• Offer whole milk if your child is older than 12 months.

These drinks may help relax the airway and loosen the mucus:

• Warm tea, lemonade, or apple juice if your child is over 4 months old.
• Warm chicken broth for older children.

Eating or drinking may make your child tired.

• Offer small amounts, but more often than usual.

If your child throws up because of coughing, feed your child again.

Medicines:

Antibiotics help most children with pneumonia get better.

• Your doctor may tell you to give antibiotics to your child.
• Don't miss any doses.
• Finish all the medicine, even if your child starts to feel better.

DO NOT give your child cough medicine or cold medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Your child' s coughing helps them get rid of mucus from their lungs.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you if it is okay to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever or pain. If these medicines are okay to use, your doctor will tell you how often to give them to your child.

When to Call the Doctor: