Patient education: Pneumonia in children – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

Your child was seen in the ED for pneumonia. This is a lung infection that causes coughing, fever, and trouble breathing.

If your child is younger than 5 years, their pneumonia is likely caused by a virus. If they are older than 5 years, their pneumonia is likely caused by bacteria.

The doctor might have given your child antibiotics or other medicines. It is very important they finish all the medicine, even if they start to feel better.

Your child should start to feel better within a week. But they might still feel tired or have a cough for a few weeks or even months after treatment.

How do I care for my child at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Do not smoke around your child or let others smoke around them. Avoid other things that can cause breathing problems like fumes, pollution, dust, and other common allergens.

●Let your child rest.

●Offer your child lots of fluids to stay hydrated. Offer your baby regular feedings of breast milk or formula.

●Give your child non-prescription medicines to relieve pain or reduce fever, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). Never give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years old.

●Do not give your child over-the-counter cough medicines. They do not usually work well, and they can have serious side effects in children.

●Use a cool mist humidifier. This might make it easier for your child to breathe.

●Older children can use hard candy or cough drops to soothe sore throat and cough.

●Wash your and your child's hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection to others.

●Talk to your child's regular doctor about vaccines to help protect against pneumonia.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if your child:

•Your child stops breathing.

•Your child has so much trouble breathing they can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.

•Your child needs to sit upright to breathe, or cannot lie down.

•Your child is very tired from working to catch their breath.

•Your child makes a grunting noise when they breathe.

•Your child's lips or face turn blue or gray.

●Return to the ED if:

•Your child has trouble breathing when talking or sitting still.

•Your child's skin is pulling in under or between their ribs when they breathe.

•Your child seems confused or is not acting normally.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if your child:

●Has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher, or chills

●Has a fever for more than 2 days even after starting antibiotics

●Is breathing faster than normal

●Cannot do their normal activities because of trouble breathing

●Coughs up blood

●Is still coughing in 3 weeks

●Has new or worsening symptoms

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Patient education: Pneumonia in children (The Basics)