“What type of treatment is the best for a child's pneumonia?”

Depends on how the provider is thinking of the underlying etiology of the pneumonia and if the child has any underlying conditions that can be compromised by the pneumonia. If the provider feels the child has a straightforward community acquired pneumonia he/she will prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin. If he/she feels that it is viral, he would educate about supportive care and warning signs for if the child became worse. He/she would hold off starting antibiotics. If the child has underlying asthma he/she would want to make sure the childs asthma medications are updated and recommend the frequency of use. How often to use the Albuterol and if steroid medications need to be started. If the child is having hypoxia (low oxygen levels, typically <90 on the pulse oximeter)with the pneumonia, then child most likely admitted to the hospital for closer monitoring and treatment. Dr Connolly