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Streptococcal pneumonia in children
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Pneumonia caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus occurs as bronchopneumonia or interstitial pneumonia as a complication of acute respiratory viral infections or other infectious diseases. Children aged 2-7 years are most often affected.
The morphological picture shows small foci with areas of necrosis. Subsequently, the areas of inflammation increase, merge with each other and capture entire lobes of the lung.
Often the pleura is involved in the process, and pleurisy and empyema develop.
[ Symptoms of Streptococcal Pneumonia
Streptococcal pneumonia begins violently, with severe intoxication, fever, and chills. Body temperature rises to 39-40 °C, chest pains and cough with sputum appear. Physical data in streptococcal pneumonia are often scanty, percussion changes are uncharacteristic, wheezing is heard inconstantly. When pleurisy occurs, percussion sound changes and weakened breathing appear on the affected side.
The X-ray picture includes pronounced interstitial changes with multiple rounded foci in different phases of resorption. Sometimes a massive infiltrate can be seen. Streptococcal pneumonia is characterized by enlarged lymph nodes of the lung root. In the blood - neutrophilic leukocytosis with a shift to the left, increased ESR.
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Treatment of streptococcal pneumonia
To treat streptococcal pneumonia, penicillin or its semi-synthetic derivatives are used at a rate of 100-200 mg/kg per day intramuscularly in 2 doses simultaneously with probiotics (Acipol, etc.). Other antibiotics (protected penicillins, cephalosporins) can also be used. In case of empyema, thoracocentesis is performed.
- Pneumonia - Treatment regimen and nutrition
- Antibacterial drugs for the treatment of pneumonia
- Pathogenetic treatment of pneumonia
- Symptomatic treatment of pneumonia
- Combating complications of acute pneumonia
- Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, breathing exercises for pneumonia
- Sanatorium and resort treatment and rehabilitation for pneumonia
More information of the treatment
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