Is pneumonia contagious?

Question

My 1 year old son just got diagnosed with it... and I was wondering if I should keep my other kids from hugging and kissing on him as much as possible? Also any info about pneumonia you have would be great! (Please no cut and copied answers!)

Answer 1

Hmmm, I am taking your word for the diagnosis, which I assume came from your doctor. Most chesty episodes in children are viral, infectious and vary in severity.
Though one can get both viral and bacterial pneumonias this is quite a serious diagnosis. If I was making this diagnosis in a 1 year old I would be talking about an unwell toxic child, with a moderate fever and breathlessness. I would be looking for blood tests and chest X-rays which would require hospitalization.

Sometimes diagnoses are banded about even by doctors with little regard for exactitude.

Answer 2

Pneumonia just means fluid/infection in the lungs. Whatever caused the infection may be contagious (virus, bacteria, fungus etc.) but the actual condition of pneumonia is not. If the flu caused the infection, another person will catch the flu, not pneumonia. That being said, small children are prone to pneumonia because of their small lungs and developing immune systems, so it is possible that another 1 year old may catch the flu and then develop pneumonia. As for your other kids, they have already been exposed (for example most viruses are contagious before or as soon as the symptoms appear) so it is unlikely that anything will happen especially if they are older.
I hope the little one feels better soon :-)

Answer 3

Usually Pneumonia is a result from a secondary infection like a "cold" or "flu"etc.or other diseases.There are bacterial and viral,and fungal types, some more dangerous than others.Strep pneumonia is the most common in the U.S.there is a vaccine available to prevent its occurrence ,and will provide protection against several types.As long as your son is on antibiotics he's not "contagious".The problem would be exposing him to friends or family that are themselves compromised by chronic diseases of the immune system,preexisting heart and lung disorders,and the elderly,and the very young,especailly a premature baby. . Take care. SW RNP

Answer 4

No, it isn't contagious. Your son will need a lot of care because it really weakens you so much. I had pneumonia 2 years ago, along with other stuff, but it was the pneumonia that kept me in hospital for 6 days and really tired for 2 months. I know how I felt, and for a baby, it's so much worse, especially if he's teething as well. You'd be best off using a search engine if you want to find out more, but sometimes too much information is scary. Not all of it will apply to your son. Stick by what the doctors tell you. Good luck, hope your baby makes a fast recovery, and take care of yourself

Answer 5

it rather is contagious for each individual. Pneumonia includes viruses which as all of us understand could be transmitted with the aid of an contaminated individual coughing or sneezing on a individual, sharing ingesting glasses and utensils, and/or while a individual touches used tissues of an contaminated individual.

Answer 6

Yes, it's extremely contagious. If i was you i wouldnt keep your other kids around him. trust me the only thing worse than 1 kid with pneumonia is 2 kids with it.

Answer 7

It can be either viral of bacterial. Bacterial - can be treated with antibiotics. It is a condition, not a disease. It generally is a result of a weakened immune system... fatigue.... body fighting off another infection such as a cold... NO, It can not be 'caught'.

Answer 8

yes, contagious