“Can pneumonia be fatal?”
My son is 5 years old and has been diagnosed with pneumonia. I have read online that pneumonia could be a fatal condition, which worries me a lot. Is this true?
6 Answers
any infection can be fatal; however, with timely diagnosis and treatment, mortality of pneumonias have been very low in developed countries
Pneumonia is a very common infection, especially in childhood. It is usually caused by viruses and by bacteria. Most children with pneumonia are not hospitalized. It is a more serious illness in newborns and in very old people.
At times, when pneumonia is left untreated, it can be fatal. Typically, with antibiotics and encouraging your child to be as active as possible, so they can cough to clear lungs, it should be a good recovery. If they have had admission to the hospital or intensive care unit, then things are a little more complicated.
Yes, childhood pneumonia can be serious on presentation, but if treated adequately there are no significant problems afterwards (given the potential for lung growth in a child), provided there are no other medical issues onboard.
Pneumonia can be fatal, but usually is not in previously healthy patients. There are many types of pneumonia that require different treatments. Prompt diagnosis and treatment enhance the outcome.
Pneumonia can be deadly, just as much as a car accident, however, we still get in our cars. Most pneumonia cases improve rapidly with treatment and make sure you keep an eye on him.
Andres Borja Alvarez, MD
Andres Borja Alvarez, MD
