How To Know If Your Child Has Pneumonia

Getting A Proper Diagnosis

Pneumonia has several signs and symptoms that are similar with other respiratory tract infections. While these signs and symptoms are reliable indicators of the likelihood of pneumonia, it is still best to get a medical doctor to correlate all the signs and symptoms to confirm the diagnosis, of whether or not your child is sick with pneumonia. A medical doctor will observe your child’s breathing patterns, check with you on the signs and symptoms that manifested days prior (most likely why you brought your child to be checked in the first place), check your child’s vital signs, look at the appearance of your child, and even listen to your child’s lungs. Sometimes a doctor will order for an X-ray and some blood tests. The importance of getting a proper diagnosis is more than just for a parent’s peace of mind. Getting a proper diagnosis allows a doctor to determine the best way forward to treat the pneumonia.