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Pneumonia in children - discharge

Lung infection - children discharge; Bronchopneumonia - children discharge

Your child has pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. Now that your child is going home, it is important to follow your health care provider's instructions on helping your child continue healing at home. Use the information below as a reminder.

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When You're in the Hospital

In the hospital, your providers helped your child breathe better. They also gave your child medicine to help get rid of the germs that cause pneumonia. They also made sure your child got enough liquids.

What to Expect at Home

Your child will probably still have some symptoms of pneumonia after leaving the hospital.

• Coughing will slowly get better over 7 to 14 days.
• Sleeping and eating may take up to a week to return to normal.
• You may need to take time off work to care for your child.

Home Care

Breathing warm, moist (wet) air helps loosen the sticky mucus that may be choking your child. Other things that may help include:

• Placing a warm, wet washcloth loosely near your child's nose and mouth
• Filling a humidifier with warm water and having your child breathe in the warm mist

Do not use steam vaporizers because they can cause burns.

To bring up mucus from the lungs, tap your child's chest gently a few times a day. This can be done as your child is lying down.

Make sure everyone washes their hands with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand cleanser before they touch your child. Try to keep other children away from your child.

Do not allow anyone to smoke in the house, the car, or anywhere near your child.

Ask your child's provider about vaccines to prevent other infections, such as:

• Flu (influenza) vaccine
• Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine

Also, make sure all your child's vaccines are up to date.

Eating and Drinking

Make sure your child drinks enough:

• Breast milk or formula if they are younger than 12 months
• Whole milk if they are older than 12 months

Some drinks may help relax the airway and loosen the mucus, such as:

• Warm tea
• Lemonade
• Apple juice
• Chicken broth for children over age 1

Eating or drinking may make your child tired. Offer small amounts, but more often than usual.

If your child throws up because of coughing, wait a few minutes and try to feed your child again.

Medicines

Antibiotics help most children with pneumonia get better. So, if your provider gives you antibiotics for your child:

• Do not miss any doses.
• Have your child take the full duration of the prescription, even if they start to feel better.

Do not give your child cough or cold medicines unless your provider says it is OK. Your child's coughing helps get rid of mucus from the lungs.

Your provider will tell you if it is OK to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever or pain. If these medicines are OK to use, your provider will tell you how often to give them to your child. Do not give aspirin to your child.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your child's provider or call 911 or the local emergency number if your child has any of the following:

• Hard time breathing
• Chest muscles are pulling in with each breath
• Breathing faster than 50 to 60 breaths per minute (when not crying)
• Making a grunting noise
• Sitting with shoulders hunched over
• Skin, nails, gums, or lips are a blue or gray color
• The area around your child's eyes is a blue or gray color
• Very tired or fatigued
• Not moving around much
• Has a limp or floppy body
• Nostrils are flaring out when breathing
• Does not feel like eating or drinking
• Irritable
• Has trouble sleeping

Related Information

References

Kelly MS, Sandora TJ. Community-acquired pneumonia. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 449.

Statile AM, Williams DJ, Shah SS. Pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. In: Cherry JD, Kaplan SL, Harrison GJ, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, Williams JV, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 22.

Review Date: 3/1/2026  

Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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