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How do I know if my child has Pneumonia ?

24/02/21

How do I know if my child has pneumonia

Dr Paula Goel , Pediatrician & Adolescent Physician , Fayth Clinic

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs in which the air sacs in the lungs (called alveoli) fill up with pus and other fluid. This makes it hard for oxygen to reach the bloodstream. This can occur at any age but is more frightening in children as it may progress rapidly to respiratory distress or failure if not diagnosed and treated in time.

Symptoms vary depending on the age and what caused the pneumonia, but can include:

very fast breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom)
breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
working hard to breathe; this can include flaring of the nostrils, belly breathing, or movement of the muscles between the ribs
fever with or without chills
cough
stuffy nose
vomiting
chest pain
belly pain (because a child is coughing and working hard to breathe)
decreased activity or lethargy
loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants), which may lead to dehydration
in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails

Pneumonia is caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Mostly caused by viruses. Pneumonia may begin after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat), with symptoms starting after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sorethroat, after which it progresses to the lungs. Fluid, white blood cells, and debris start to gather in the air spaces of the lungs and block the smooth flow of air to the lungs making it difficult to breathe . If pneumonia is caused by bacteria become sick rapidly starting with a sudden high fever and rapid breathing.

Kids with pneumonia caused by viruses probably will have symptoms that appear more gradually and are less severe, though wheezing can be more common.

Some symptoms give important clues about which germ is causing the pneumonia. For example:

In older kids and teens, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma causes a sore throat, headache, and rash in addition to the usual symptoms of pneumonia.
In babies, pneumonia due to Chlamydia may cause conjunctivitis (watering red eye)with only mild illness and no fever.
When pneumonia is due to whooping cough (pertussis), have long coughing spells, turn blue from lack of air, or make the classic “whoop” sound when trying to take a breath.

Diagnosis of pneumonia is made after medical exam, child’s appearance, breathing pattern, and vital signs, and listen to the lungs for abnormal sounds. Chest Xray and blood testsmay be required .

Viral pneumonia does not require antibiotics for treatment . Pneumonia caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth at home.

Children might need treatment in a hospital if the pneumonia causes a lasting high fever, breathing problems, or if they:

need oxygen therapy
have a lung infection that may have spread to the bloodstream
have a chronic illness that affects the immune system
are vomiting so much that they cannot take medicine by mouth
keep getting pneumonia
might have whooping cough

If your child has bacterial pneumonia and the doctor prescribed antibiotics, give the medicine on schedule for as long as directed. This will help your child recover faster and help prevent the infection from spreading to others in the family. For wheezing, the doctor might recommend using a nebulizer or an inhaler.

Child’s temperature must be taken at least once each morning and each evening. Call the doctor if it goes above 102°F (38.9°C) in an older infant or child, or above 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 6 months old.

Check your child’s lips and fingernails to make sure they are rosy and pink. Call your doctor if they are bluish or gray, or the child is breathing very rapidly ,which is a sign that the lungs are not getting enough oxygen.

With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia are cured in 1–2 weeks. Viral pneumonia may take 4–6 weeks to go away completely.

Can Pneumonia Be Prevented?

Some types of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccines. Kids usually get routine immunizations against Haemophilus influenzae , pneumococcus and whooping cough beginning at 2 months of age.

The flu vaccine is recommended for all healthy kids ages 6 months through 19 years, but especially for kids with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disorders or asthma.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

You should contact your doctor right away if your child has any of the signs of pneumonia, but especially if he or she:

has trouble breathing or is breathing too fast
has a bluish or gray color to the fingernails or lips
has a fever of 102°F (38.9°C), or above 100.4°F (38°C) in babies younger than 6 months old

Fayth Clinic ( NABH accredited & ISO 9001:2015 certified ) diagnostic centre & medical clinic. Our integrated diagnostic and medical services with experience of senior medical consultants provide patient friendly healthcare services . We provide 3 years digitalized medical reports which is accessible worldwide . Our doctors and paramedical staff are easily accessible and empathetic to the patients needs.

Book your pediatric consult at 8879443733/7738630144 or send us an enquiry at services@faythclinic.com .

Get back to life ….Your life matters !

When should you worry about your child's fever ?

24/02/21

When should you worry about your child’s fever ?

Dr Paula Goel , Pediatrician & Adolescent physician , Fayth Clinic

Fever occurs when your body is fighting an infection , inflammation, overdressing a child and also after immunization . It’s a common occurrence and children get fever from time to time , however if the fever is very high and is associated with complications , then it is worrisome. Generally the body is set at temperature of around 98.6°F/37°C. Minor variations in body temperature may occur during the day and is absolutely normal

When Is a Fever a Sign of Something Serious?

In healthy kids, fever will subside unless there is associated problems . High fever may cause dehydration . When temperature is lower than 102°F (38.9°C) medicine may not be required unless the child is very uncomfortable .

When to visit your doctor :

an infant 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, it is essential to meet your doctor Even a slight fever can be a sign of a potentially serious infection in very young babies.
If your child is between 3 months – 3 years old and has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higherit is necessary to go to your doctor .
For older kids, take behavior and activity level should be taken into account. Watching how your child behaves will give you a pretty good idea of whether a minor illness is the cause or if your child should be seen by a doctor.

Sick little girl covered in blanket is lying on couch while her father is taking her temperature

The illness is probably not serious if your child:

is still interested in playing
is eating and drinking well
is alert and smiling at you
has a normal skin color
looks well when his or her temperature comes down

Confirmation of fever is important by Using a reliable digital thermometer . It’s a fever when a child’s temperature is at or above one of these levels:

measured orally(in the mouth): 100°F (37.8°C)
measured rectally(in the bottom): 100.4°F (38°C)
measured in an axillaryposition (under the arm): 99°F (37.2°C)

Fevers can rise and fall, a child might have chills as the body’s temperature begins to rise. The child may sweat to release extra heat as the temperature starts to drop.

Sometimes kids with a fever have rapid breathing than usual and may have a faster heart rate.

When Should I worry about the fever ? The exact temperature that should trigger a call to the doctor depends on a child’s age, the illness, and whether there are other symptoms with the fever.

infant younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
older child with a temperature of higher than 102.2°F (39°C)
If your child refuses fluids or seems too ill to drink adequately
has lasting diarrheaor repeated vomiting
has any signs of dehydration and is lethargic
has a specific complaint (like a sore throator earache)
still has a fever after 24 hours (in kids younger than 2 years old) or 72 hours (in kids 2 years or older)
has a chronic medical problem, such as heart disease, cancer
has a rash with fever
has pain while passing urine
Wont stop crying and is very irritable
sluggishness and trouble waking up
a rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that were not there before your child got sick)
blue lips, tongue, or nails
infant’s soft spot on the head seems to be bulging out or sunken in
stiff neck
severe headache
limpness or refusal to move
trouble breathing that doesn’t get better when the nose is cleared
leaning forward and drooling
convulsions
moderate to severe belly pain

All children with fever, comes back to normal within a few days. For older babies and kids, the way they act can be more important than the reading on your thermometer. Everyone gets a little cranky when they have a fever. This is normal and should be expected. However , if you are doubtful about what to do , it is essential to call your doctor for advice .

Fayth Clinic ( NABH accredited & ISO 9001:2015 certified ) diagnostic centre & medical clinic. Our integrated diagnostic and medical services with experience of senior medical consultants provide patient friendly healthcare services . We provide 3 years digitalized medical reports which is accessible worldwide . Our doctors and paramedical staff are easily accessible and empathetic to the patients needs.

Book your pediatric consult at 8879443733/7738630144 or send us an enquiry at services@faythclinic.com .

Get back to life ….Your life matters !

5 steps to identify if your teen is getting into bad company

24/02/21

5 steps to identify if your teen is getting into bad company

Dr Paula Goel , Pediatrician & adolescent physician , Fayth Clinic

Has your sweet adorable child suddenly metamorphosed into an individual who is constantly at loggerheads with you ? Is having a regular normal conversation difficult on a day to day basis ? And do you find complete change in behavior ?

Many of these could be just normal for this age group (10-19 yrs ) , however if the symptoms last for more than 2 weeks at a stretch and is associated with disturbance in the family structure , it is time to probe deeper . There might be a solid reason to feel concerned about your child and his/her changed behaviour. A parent’s instincts about their child is right in most cases.

So , what are the red flag signs which should alert you if your teen is getting into bad company which may get in the way of his/her studies or pose a threat to his/her safety, then you must address the issue ASAP!

1. Fall in school or college grades is the first sign .On many occasions, the child will even hide the marks , so tracking whether examination has occurred and what are the grades is necessary . If the child has performed poorly , it is imperative not to blame the child but provide a nurturing and caring environment which will allow the child to feel safe and not victimized . It is necessary for parents to understand that if the child has fallen into bad company , the child will tend to gravitate more because he/she gets the comfort which is somehow lacking at home ( strict parents ). There have been repeated complaints from school or college authorities regarding grades aand behaviour issues.

2.Teens between ages of 13 – 18 years, tend to develop an impulsive attitude and a reckless behaviour, which may lead them into doing certain things that are not desirable. Peer pressure, the desire to “fit in” with the so called “cool” kids of their age, may lead a teenager to take some decisions that may affect their academics, health and life in general. Smoking, drinking, drug use, indulging in unprotected sex, etccan be indulged in , hence parent need to crucial to recognise certain signs like generalized fatigue , chronic cough , red glazed eyes , repeated respiratory infections , abdominal pain , chronic headaches

Your child who was once quite obedient and nice has suddenly started to back answer and is extremely rude and mannerless. They become tightlipped or fight back , when asked questions about their friends and activities. Most of the time , the door to their room is closed and in extreme situations , you even have to take their permission to enter the room . They will not take any phone calls or work on the computer in front of you . Any questions asked will be met with resistance to answer .They refuse to bring friends home to meet you, when you ask for it. They do it because they know that the company they hang out with is not an ideal one and their parents would never approve of it.
4. Your teenager spends a lot of time outside and returns home only after you call him/her multiple times and he/she refuses to tell you about his/her whereabouts. There are times when they have not come back home and returned home in the morning . While going out , their dress sense has become unconventional and music and lifestyle has also become unconventional . You may find them sporting expensive gadgets or clothes and when asked , there will be no answer or expensive gadgets and clothes may also be hidden and not shown to parents.

5. Your teen refuses to be a part of family outings, dinners, etc, and never bothers coming out of the room. He/ she has no connection or refuses to maintain with other family members .Your teen constantly lies to you about everything like school timings, their whereabouts, grades, etc. Large amounts of pocket money may be required and if not given , may be associated with either fights or stealing money from you . At a later stage , stealing may also progress to stealing and selling mothers jewellery , household items .

These are some of the red flag signs to alert and warn you . It is best to identify and deal with the issue early . It is also imperative for parents and caretakers to hve an empathetic attitude and refrain from finger pointing and punishing .Counseling for both teenager and caretaker is necessary to deal with the issues .

Fayth Clinic ( NABH accredited & ISO 9001:2015 certified ) diagnostic centre & medical clinic. Our integrated diagnostic and medical services with experience of senior medical consultants provide patient friendly healthcare services . We provide 3 years digitalized medical reports which is accessible worldwide . Our doctors and paramedical staff are easily accessible and empathetic to the patients needs.

Book your consultation at 8879443733/7738630144 or send us an enquiry at services@faythclinic.com .

Get back to life ….Your life matters !

Obesity in Children – The Rising Concern

27/04/17

It’s quite an irony to have an almost equal rate of obese as well as malnourished children within the boundaries of the same country. Pathetic as it sounds, that is what is being witnessed in our country these days. While malnourishment is certainly a grave issue, obesity in children has assumed the proportions of an epidemic waiting to strike.

Obesity in children has profound consequences along with an increased probability of it staying with them along the growth path, turning them into obese adults. It involves several physical risks, of contracting chronic health conditions, and emotional risks of decreased self-esteem and confidence.

Causes of Obesity in Children

Obesity in children occurs due to many reasons, an unhealthy diet pattern, lack of physical activity and genetic factors being some of the prominent ones. A common cause of obesity to linked to the increase in consumption of fast food, which are rich in fats while low on nutrients.

Lack of exercise and physical activity when coupled with high fat intake leads to obesity. The extra calories consumed needs to be burned out through rigorous physical activity. When the child prefers video and computer games than the ones that involve physical activities, this fat gets deposited in the body, gradually leading to obesity. The risk of obesity might run in the family genes as well.

Risk factors of obesity

Obesity in children, exposes them to risk of the following diseases.

Heart conditions or diseases
High cholesterol
Bone problems
High blood pressure
Diabetes

Preventing obesity

Obesity in children can be prevented by taking care of the factors causing obesity. Including more of vegetables and fruits, cutting soft drinks supply, avoiding skipping of breakfast and including an hour of physical games, can help prevent obesity to a great extent. In severe cases of obesity in children, seeking medical attention is advisable.

Fayth Clinic based in Mumbai offers effective weight loss programs through it MEDIGYM initiative. The MEDIGYM unit is available at its Prabhadevi centre and helps in attaining physical fitness while losing weight through a set of strategically planned programs.

For more details,

Contact – www.faythclinic.com