Taking care of your child at home
Finish all antibiotics
If your child was given antibiotics, they must finish all the pills or liquid, even if they are feeling better.
Monitor and treat the fever
To treat the fever or achy muscles, use
acetaminophen or
ibuprofen. You can give these medicines even if your child is also on antibiotics. They do not interact.
Keep your child fed and hydrated.
Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids to stay
hydrated. Your child may not want to eat much at first. Once the infection begins to clear and your child starts to feel better, they will want to eat more.
Avoid smoky places
Keep your child away from smoke, vaping products and other lung irritants.
Cough symptoms
Your child's cough may get worse before it gets better. As the pneumonia goes away, your child will cough to get rid of the mucus. The cough may continue for two to three weeks.