16 Month Old with Pneumonia

There is also Albuterol ORAL syrup. This is also used for young children. See if this is an option for your son.

using the machine compressor is very efficient... but for children, it is hard. Especially for a 16 month old.

Albuterol is a muscle relaxant... it's safe. But it opens up the airways quickly and so one can breathe and gets the mucous out better.

Watch for fever... since he has pneumonia and any bluish tinge to his nails or skin... this can mean his oxygen levels are not enough. Also, shallow and/or rapid breathing is not good.

Keep up with fluid intake... this is important.

Clothe him as appropriate for the weather.... but do not get him chilled or too cold... this can make it harder for the lungs and exacerbate any wheezing and coughing.

Albuterol can make people more 'hyper"... this is a side effect sometimes... but perhaps... MAYBE tell his Doctor so that the dosage can be adjusted. Sometimes, a hyper feeling can be because of too much dosage.

He's also sleeping a lot because he is sick... Pneumonia takes a lot out of a person... and being tired is common. Sleep helps the body to heal.... but as he is sleeping, check on him, since he does have Pneumonia. Perhaps keep him elevated too, if his lungs are tight and constricted.

Yes, the medicine can sometimes lower appetite. Just feed him as much as he will eat. Don't worry. It will pass. Main thing is fluids. He won't starve. He's sick, and just having Pneumonia diminishes one's appetite anyway.

KEEP an eye on him... and his symptoms. Pneumonia as you know, can be dangerous. But dehydration is also common with pneumonia. So, give him fluids regularly. Ask your Doctor if you can give him "Pedialyte"... to replenish his fluids/electrolytes etc.

Any worsening of his condition, and take him to the Doctor or ER asap.

This is just my experience, having had to use this medication and machine, being an asthmatic myself, and caring for my Mom when she had Pneumonia.

Take care,
Susan

so you use the nebulizer with him. ok. my daughter has asthma and uses both a nebulizer and inhaler. she fought with me on the inhaler untill i showed her it wasnt that bad like before she uses it i will make a noise (like im pushing the inhaler) and breathe in and out with the mask on my face then she started doing it too. with her nebulizer i know they will send you with a set modle. i have and inspiration i think it called. anywho hers didnt come with a face mask just the mouth piece. maybe call the company that makes the breathing machine and see if your insurance will cover for them to send you a mouth piece. what i do with my daughter (who started using a nebulizer at 10 1/2mo and is now 18mo) is i sit her on my lap so she can watch tv and ihold the mouth piece infront of her face (making sure i cover the exhale hole with my finger so all the medication gets to her). sometimes she likes to put it in her and breathe it like that. give it a little time and if he doesnt seem to be getting better in a week after being on the albuterol then take him back usually you will see a difference in his breathing after a week. also the albuterol will hype them up until their bodies get used to it. my daughter has to take a prevenative for her asthma everyday and because shes so used to it by now and it doesnt hype her up we are able to give it to her before bed. try to push liquids if anything(pediasure?) and give it time i know its hard it really sounds like he is scared of the mask being on try not putting it on his head but holding it infront of his face and see how that works. he will get used to it soon. good luck i hope this help!!!

I feel for you! My daughter had a virus which caused bronchillitis and she had to use a breathing treatment machine for a couple weeks. Ask your doc if he/she can change the med from albuterol to zopanex. zopanex does not cause the hyperness so the side effects are fewer. one downfall is it is more expensive. This may also help to increase appetite. Its okay if he does not want to eat as long as he is drinking plenty of fluids. Smart water is a great way to get the electrolyts into his sytem because it tastes just like water. I do not think you need to bundle him up more than normal and as soon as the antibiotic starts working, you will see an improvement. It takes about 72 hrs for it to start working. If you notice it is not improving or getting worse, call the doctor right away or go to the e.r.-follow your motherly insticts. All side effects you mention are totally normal, but if it seems to be too much then take him in to the doc and voice your concerns. He will get better soon so hang in there. I know it is stressful but luckily it is treatable and it will go away.
Best Wishes! S.

No need to bundle him up more.

His symptoms are normal. I went through the same thing as a child.

Best wishes,
M.

Hi M.!
After about 24 hours of inhaler treatment, you should notice a marked difference in his appetite, as he should be able to breathe better. The albuterol will make him hyper and restless, but it is only for a couple of days (ideally).
Avoid taking him outside, and if you have a cool mist vaporizer running in your home, that should deliver moisture to his nose and throat and lungs, which facilitates the clearing process as well.
I would not dress him more warmly.... I've had to use albuterol before, and it made me warm!Too warm.
Breathe in and out... you both are on the right track!
The best to you~