Are you concerned because your young child has a cold that doesn't seem to be getting better? You must understand that cold symptoms could actually point to your child having a condition that is more serious and difficult to treat without professional assistance. For example, it is possible that your child is suffering from pneumonia, which is a very serious illness that must be treated in the proper manner. If some of the other people in your household are starting to have cold symptoms as well, it is possible that they are also in the process of getting pneumonia. Take a look at this article to gain more insight about pneumonia.

Does Your Child Struggle to Breathe?

One of the worst symptoms of suffering from pneumonia is that it makes breathing difficult to do. Breathing problems can actually get to the extent of putting your child's life in danger. If your child has begun struggling to breathe, you might want to make a prompt appointment for him or her to be examined by a pediatrician. The faster that pneumonia is diagnosed, the sooner your child will be able to get the treatment that he or she needs before the condition becomes worse.

Is Coughing Associating with a Lot of Pain?

When your child coughs, does he or she complain of being in a large amount of pain? Coughing can be painful even with the common cold, but it is also a symptom of pneumonia. If your child has pneumonia, the pain might stem from his or her lungs being inflamed. A pediatrician can treat the cough and prescribe medication that can reduce lung inflammation.

Have You Been Keeping Your Child Hydrated?

Dehydration is a common symptom that is associated with pneumonia. It is very important to make sure that your child is drinking of plenty of fluids while he or she is ill. If you have noticed that your child has excessively dry lips and skin, he or she might be severely dehydrated. Prompt medical attention is required in such a case.

Do You Know Any Nearby Family Health Clinics?

The wisest thing for you to do is to find a family health clinic and make your child an appointment. The reason why a family health clinic is the most ideal is because there will be pediatricians who can help your child get back on the road to healing in no time.