Summer is a time of outdoor fun for children. Apart from all the exercising and getting vitamin D from the sun, spending time outdoors where the air is clean can also minimize the risk of Walking pneumonia.
Walking pneumonia is a mild case of pneumonia that mostly affects children aged five or above.1 It is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Air pollution, secondhand smoke and stiff air inside crowded indoor spaces are also causes of walking pneumonia, especially to children with lower immune systems.2
Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia
- Breathlessness
- Coughing
- Mild fever
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
- Tiredness
- Headache
Given the mild nature of symptoms, walking pneumonia patients often feel well enough to go to school — thus the name “walking” pneumonia.
Prevention of Walking Pneumonia
While vaccines are available to prevent bacterial (not viral) pneumonia, good hygiene is the ultimate prevention approach. Children should learn to wash hands frequently and to cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Parents should also make sure to protect them from polluted air. Last but not least, encourage your children to exercise often to build a strong immune system.
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