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Learn how to look out for pneumonia and what to do about it in this booklet that tells the story of a mother and her son. Health workers can use this resource to educate caregivers about pneumonia and the importance of seeking care promptly.
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A story for mothers, their families, and the doctors and health workers who care for them PNEUMONIA every breath counts HOW TO LOOK OUT FOR PNEUMONIA AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT how to use this booklet This booklet tells the story of a mother and her son. The son gets sick with PNEUMONIA, and the mother learns what to look for and when to get help at a health centre. PNEUMONIA (“bad breathing”) is very dangerous for children. Health workers and doctors can use this booklet to help mothers and other caregivers learn more about PNEUMONIA, about when to seek care, and the importance of following the advice of health workers and doctors.
chapter 1 IMAGINE THIS MOTHER. Her baby boy has been coughing for a day. But now his coughing is getting worse. The mother watches him closely.
chapter 2 • SOON THE CHILD IS COUGHING MORE AND BREATHING FAST. • His chest moves in while he breathes. These are some of the signs of PNEUMONIA: • Cough • Fast Breathing • In-drawn Chest: Sometimes whenPNEUMONIA is severe, a child has an in-drawn chest. Normally when a child breathes in, the chest and stomach move out together. But in a child with an in-drawn chest, the chest below the ribs pulls in instead of moving out. The chest does not fill with air • And sometimes there is a fever, but not always
chapter 3 THE MOTHER THINKS THAT MAYBE SHE SHOULD GIVE HER CHILD SOME HERBS. Before she does that, a health worker stops by and asks what is wrong. The mother says the child is breathing badly, and the health worker says, “Let’s understand what is wrong with the child first, so we can give him the right medicine.” REMEMBER Talk to a community health worker or doctor right away when your child is sick.
chapter 4 THE HEALTH WORKER USES A WATCH TO MEASURE HOW FAST THE CHILD IS BREATHING. The breathing is faster than normal. She hears the child’s cough. All these signs point to PNEUMONIA. She tells the mother to go to a health centre right now. REMEMBER If a child is breathing faster than usual, that is often a sign of PNEUMONIA.
chapter 5 THE MOTHER HEEDS THE HEALTH WORKER’S ADVICE. She quickly takes her child to the nearest health centre. The doctor there sees that the child is sick and starts caring for him right away. REMEMBER Any time a child has breathing problems, you should seek care right away.
chapter 6 THE DOCTOR NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG AND HOW SICK THE CHILD IS, SO HE CAN CHOOSE THE RIGHT TREATMENT. The doctor is well trained to look for signs that the child has PNEUMONIA and to assess how severe the PNEUMONIA is. The doctor measures the breathing again. He agrees that the breathing is fast. He also sees that the child has an “in-drawn chest.” He determines that the child has PNEUMONIAand needs treatment right away.
What is the dose of amoxicillin? Day 1 Morning Night Day 2 Morning Night Day 3 Morning Night Day 4 Morning Night Day 5 Morning Night 2 months up to 12 months 1 year to 5 years
chapter 7 THE DOCTOR GIVES THE MOTHER A MEDICINE CALLED “AMOXICILLIN.” It is a medicine that is the recommended treatment for children with PNEUMONIA. The best kind of amoxicillin for children is called “dispersible.” This means the pill breaks apart in water or milk so the child can swallow it easily. The doctor explains how the child should take this medicine. He needs to take 1 tablet, 2 times a day, for 5 days. The mother needs to put each tablet in a small spoonful of clean water or breast milk. The tablet will melt and be easier for him to take. The child needs to take all the medicine that the doctor gives. The doctor says to keep giving the medicine for all 5 days, even if the child looks better. “That’s how you make sure the child is fully cured,” the doctor says. “Don’t stop giving medicine early.” This table shows how much amoxicillin an infant or a child with PNEUMONIA usually gets, but your health worker or doctor may recommend something different. Remember to always follow the directions of the health worker or doctor.
chapter 8 “Thank you for bringing him. You did just the right thing,” the doctor says to the mother and the health worker. “Waiting could have been dangerous for the child. You may have saved your child’s life.” The child is now resting and getting the right treatment. The mother and health worker are relieved and proud. They all agree that knowing when to act fast can save a child’s life.
WHEN TO RETURN 1 Fever 2 Coughing gets worse 5 Convulsions Unusually sleepy/can’t wake up 4 Refusing to eat 3
chapter 9 “How long before the child gets better?” asks the mother. The doctor tells her again that the child should take the medicine for the full 5 days, even if the child seems better before then. “Come back for more treatment if your child gets worse,” says the doctor.Then the doctor shows the mother some danger signs to look for. If she sees her child doing any of these things, she should again seek care as fast as she can. These danger signs are: If a child has a fever If the child gets sicker or if any symptoms get worse If the child is unusually sleepy or can’t wake up If the child refuses to drink, eat or breastfeed If the child suddenly moves strangely and the arms and legs stiffen; these are called “convulsions” REMEMBER Give the medicine for the full 5 days. Know the danger signs. Know when to seek care.
PNEUMONIA CAUSES PREVENTION Vaccines Germs Hand washing Smoke Smoke-free home Poor diet Good nutrition
chapter 10 “What can I do to keep my child from getting PNEUMONIA again?”asks the mother. The doctor shows her another poster. To know how to prevent PNEUMONIA, it helps to know what causes it in the first place. • Here are some things that cause PNEUMONIA: • PNEUMONIA is caused by germs getting into the body • These germs often get on hands before they get inside the body. Dirty hands spread many diseases, not just PNEUMONIA • If a child is often near a lot of smoke, such as a cooking fire, things in the smoke can make a child’s breathing worse. That child is more likely to get PNEUMONIA and other diseases • Not getting enough nutritious food also makes children sicker • And here are some ways you can help keep your child strong: • There are vaccines that can help the child fight PNEUMONIA germs in the future. Children should get all the vaccinations that doctors recommend • Wash hands often, especially before preparing and eating food and after using the toilet. Use soap and clean water. That can help get rid of germs before they cause harm • Keep smoke out of the home as much as possible. Ensure that your house and cooking areas are well ventilated • Nutritious food and breast milk help a child fight disease. Breastfeeding is an excellent way to keep a baby strong
chapter 11 Back at home, the child is strong and playing again. Together, the mother and father look at information the doctor gave the mother aboutPNEUMONIA. “It’s good that you took him to get care,” says the father. “Yes,” says the mother. “Now we know the signs of pneumonia: coughing, fast breathing, and chest in-drawing. We know what we can do to keep him healthy and strong, and that we should seek care right away if he gets sick again. Let’s help our friends and family learn about PNEUMONIA and what to do about it. The more we know, the safer our children will be.” KNOW THE DANGER SIGNS. Know when to seek care.
