Pneumonia In Teens: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

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Pneumonia is an infection that causes lung inflammation and fluid filled alveoli (air sacs). A variety of organisms could cause pneumonia in teens. In addition, the inflamed air sacs may cause breathing difficulties (due to insufficient oxygen levels) in your teen.

This condition commonly occurs in children below four. However, teenagers who are predisposed to risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and chronic diseases have a high chance of developing pneumonia (1).

Ensuring adequate nutrition and sleep, avoiding smoke exposure, and getting scheduled immunizations are some strategies that could help prevent pneumonia. However, it is crucial to seek medical care if your teen has the signs of pneumonia.

Keep reading to discover the possible causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and preventive measures for pneumonia in teens.

Causes Of Pneumonia In Teenagers

Fungal, viral, and bacterial infections are common causes of pneumonia. Microbes can spread through respiratory droplets while coughing and sneezing or direct contact with an infected person.

The common microorganisms that cause pneumonia are the following (2).

• Mycoplasma pneumonia

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Haemophilus influenzae type b

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Chlamydia pneumoniae

• Group B streptococcus

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• Parainfluenza virus

• Influenza virus

• Adenovirus

• Pneumocystis jirovecii

• Aspergillus

• Chickenpox virus (varicella)

• Coronaviruses

Immunocompromised teens are more likely to get fungal pneumonia, such as aspergillosisⁱFungal pneumonia caused by a common mold called Aspergillus which leads to wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, and runny nose. and pneumocystis pneumoniaⁱA fungal infection affecting one or both lungs and leading to fever, cough, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. . Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are common causative agents in adolescents (1).

Risk Factors For Pneumonia In Teenagers

The following factors may increase the risk of pneumonia in teens (3).

• Weak immune system due to cancer, HIV infection, malnutrition, or other conditions

• Chronic diseases, such as cystic fibrosisⁱAn inherited condition that affects the lungs and digestive system and causes mucus and sweat glands abnormalities leading to blockages. , asthma, or sickle cell anemiaⁱAn inherited set of blood disorders causing red blood cells to become hard, sticky, and sickle-shaped.

• Lung or airway issues

• Parental smoking

• Crowded living conditions

• Indoor air pollution

• Long term hospitalization may cause nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia

Although several factors may increase the risk of pneumonia, nutritional deficiencies and weaker immune systems result in a higher risk of pneumonia in children and teens.

Signs And Symptoms Of Pneumonia In Teens

Depending on the causative agent, the signs and symptoms of pneumonia may vary in each teen. Difficulty breathing is a significant symptom since the air sacs are filled with fluid and pus instead of air.

The onset of the following symptoms and signs may be seen in teens during pneumonia (4).

• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing

• Cough

• Coughing up phlegm or mucus

• Chest pain

• High fever

• Chills

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lack of appetite

• Fatigue and weakness

• Headache

Viral and bacterial pneumonia can have similar clinical features in the early period. Bacterial pneumonia may have an earlier onset of breathing issues than viral pneumonia. Viral pneumonia could be mild or often resolved with home treatments, but some viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, may cause severe pneumonia (5) (6). According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 6.8% to 15.6% of individuals aged under 18 years hospitalized between January and June Covid-19 have pneumonia.

It is best to seek medical care if your teen has pneumonia symptoms, such as high fever and breathing difficulties, since these also occur in other respiratory infections such as bronchitis. Chest pain in teens may also be a symptom of pneumonia. Early diagnosis of the underlying cause may help avoid complications.

Diagnosis Of Pneumonia In Teens

Diagnosis can be made by history and physical examination. Additional tests are ordered to identify the causative agent. The tests to confirm pneumonia are the following (2).

• A chest X-ray helps to visualize the lung tissue.

• Blood tests help measure arterial blood gas, blood count, and inflammatory markers.

• Sputum smear is helpful in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosisⁱA contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that starts in the lungs and may spread to other organs. , which many times, presents with features of pneumonia

• Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in blood using a sensor on the finger or toe. Oximetry measurements indicate the lung’s ability to absorb oxygen.

• BronchoscopyⁱA procedure where the doctors use a specific device to look at the airways and diagnose lung issues. helps visualize the airways from inside.

• Chest CT scans visualize the lungs and the organs nearby.

• Pleural fluidⁱThe fluid present between the lungs and the chest cavity that acts as a lubricant. culture may also help identify the organisms causing pneumonia since the fluid contains bacteria from the lungs.

These diagnostic techniques help doctors correctly identify the type of pneumonia and create an effective treatment plan. It’s important for parents to give a detailed medical history of their teenager to support the diagnosis. The tests may vary for each person, depending on their health, symptoms, and certain specific test results.

Treatment For Pneumonia In Teens

The treatment for pneumonia is decided depending on the cause, severity, and complications of the disease and your teen’s health status. Some teens with uncomplicated pneumonia may receive prescription medications and be allowed to continue treatment at home. Severe pneumonia requires hospitalization with intravenous medications, fluids, and often ventilatory assistance.

The following treatments can provide symptomatic relief during pneumonia (2).

• Hydration

• Adequate rest for a faster recovery

• Cool-mist humidifier to make breathing easier

• Cough syrups or cough medications

• Acetaminophen for fever

Most teens with viral pneumonia may get better with symptomatic care. Antivirals are rarely prescribed and usually prescribed in severe cases or to immunocompromised individuals.

Bacterial pneumonia and other severe types of pneumonia may require the following treatments (1).

• Oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia

• Oxygen therapy

• Fluid replacement (IV fluids)

• Breathing therapies

It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent relapse and antibiotic resistance. The time taken for recovery may vary depending on the severity of the illness and complications.

It may take up to a month in some teens for complete healing, whereas some may return to normal activities within a week. Although respiratory symptoms and fever resolve, some may experience tiredness and fatigue for a month during the recovery phase (7). Keep track of the symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if they worsen.

Complications Of Pneumonia In Teens

Teens with low immunity and chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to pneumonia-related complications, such as (7):

• Sepsis (blood infection)

• Multi-organ failure due to sepsis

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)ⁱA condition in which fluid fills the air sacs of the lungs, depriving the body of oxygen.

• Respiratory failure requiring ventilatory or breathing support

• Pleural effusion (fluid build-up in the pleural space around the lungs)

• Lung abscesses (pus-filled cavities in the lungs) that require surgical draining

Despite several treatment and management options, the mortality rate linked to pneumonia and its complications remains high, particularly in children and older adults. Nonetheless, the global data on pneumonia-related deaths, presented in the graph below, demonstrates a considerable decline in mortality across all age groups over the past three decades.

Global deaths from pneumonia by age (1990 to 2019)

Source: Pneumonia; Our World In Data; IHME, Global Burden of Disease

Prevention Of Pneumonia In Teens

The following measures may help prevent pneumonia (8).

• Vaccination can help prevent or lower the risk for pneumonia caused by a few bacteria and viruses, such as haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), varicella (chickenpox), influenza (flu), streptococcus pneumoniae, bordetella pertussis (whooping cough), and measles (9).

• Wash hands with alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and water.

• A healthy diet for teenagers, physical activity, and adequate sleep help improve immunity.

• Maintain good hygiene and proper ventilation in crowded homes.

• Avoid smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and exposure to air pollutants.

• Dosage of preventive medicines can reduce the risk of pneumonia in immunocompromised teens.

Illustration: Pneumonia In Teens: Symptoms Causes Treatment & Prevention

Check out this informative video and learn all about pneumonia – what it is, how it’s treated, and how to prevent it. Get the facts you need to stay safe and healthy!

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