Patient's question:
The child has been sick since birth, getting colds every other day, always going to the hospital. That's not a big deal. What I'm most worried about is if the child gets pneumonia, it will be difficult to treat. What's the difference between a cold, fever, and pneumonia?Doctor's answer:
The respiratory system of babies develops and grows, making them more susceptible to respiratory illnesses. A cold is usually an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as the nose, throat, and larynx; pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract, such as the trachea and bronchi. If a cold with fever is neglected, it may easily develop into pneumonia.When you have a cold, coughing does not usually cause difficulty breathing. However, with pneumonia, coughing is more severe, with loud, rapid, and shallow breaths, shortness of breath, and effort. It may even sound like the wheezing of a bellows, with the chest sinking down with each breath. In severe cases, coughing can cause visible fluctuations in the abdomen, almost like retching.
When you have a cold with fever, taking medicine can help, but pneumonia with fever tends to recur and does not subside easily.