Lung Infection Homeopathy Treatment for Babies

Babies are more likely to get chest infections because their air passages are small or narrow. (Source: World Health Organization) If a virus that causes colds is the cause, then there may be no symptoms at all. Bacteria such as pneumococcus and streptococcus can also cause lung infections. Babies' lung infections can cause more severe symptoms depending on which air passages or lung part is infected. At times, lung infections can be contagious.

Common signs of lung infections in babies

Below are some of the most common signs of lung infections in babies:

Fast breathing: Fast breathing is very common in babies with lung infections. (Source: British Lung Foundation) The breathing can become quick at times when the baby is sleeping or active. A baby may breathe faster than usual, even without signs of fever or colds.

High fever: Fever occurs when a baby's body tries to kill some germs that have entered their body. However, if your baby has a lung infection and does not have any sign of colds, they may develop a high fever during sleep hours. This can wake up your baby. If you touch your baby's skin, it feels warmer than usual, especially on specific areas like feet and hands. If your baby is not active and is cranky, then this can be due to a lung infection.

Cough: A cough may indicate that something is blocking the air passages or lungs. If a baby exhibits signs of coughing for seven days, then this can be due to a lung infection.

Pale skin: A baby's pale skin may indicate that there is not enough blood supply to the baby's body. When a baby has a lung infection, less oxygen reaches their blood, resulting in poor blood circulation around the baby's body.  

Less eating: When a baby has a lung infection, they may eat less. A baby's body needs more energy to fight off the virus that is causing them to have a lung infection. When infants get sick, they have difficulty eating because of poor breathing and fever, which can cause stomach pain.

Having trouble sleeping: A baby with a lung infection may have difficulty sleeping or sleep for shorter periods. Symptoms such as high fever, rapid breathing, and coughing can make your baby irritable. This makes it hard for babies to sleep well. Lack of sleep in infants contributes to a weak immune system which can cause diseases such as pneumonia. If not treated immediately, pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death in children under five years old. (Source: World Health Organization) 

Mucus from the mouth that has a yellowish colour: When babies have a lung infection, they often cough out thick yellow mucus. When there is less oxygen in an infant's lungs, this results in pus production. This is triggered by white blood cells fighting bacteria or germs that cause lung infections. The yellowish-coloured mucus from coughing may also contain traces of blood which is a sign that air passages are affected and inflamed because of a lung infection. If you notice this symptom, you should take your baby to a doctor to determine if it is a lung infection.