Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

52.6K

Characteristics of Children With Clinically Suspected Pneumonia and Viral Infection

Carolyn S Drescher1, Samantha R Neuman2, Thomas S Stivers1

  • 1Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|March 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Clinical and radiographic signs of pneumonia in children vary by virus. Findings can help determine infection cause, especially when viral tests are unavailable.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Respiratory medicine
  • Virology

Background:

  • Pneumonia is a common childhood illness with diverse etiologies.
  • Differentiating viral causes of pneumonia is crucial for appropriate management.
  • Clinical and radiographic presentations can offer clues to the underlying pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in clinical and radiographic characteristics of childhood pneumonia based on specific viral infections.
  • To assess the utility of clinical and radiographic findings in determining viral etiology when testing is limited.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 2115 children with suspected pneumonia undergoing chest radiography.
  • Viral testing performed on 718 children, identifying respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19.
  • Analysis of clinical symptoms (fever, cough, tachypnea) and radiographic features correlated with viral detection.

Main Results:

  • Viral infections identified in 17.5% (RSV), 7.6% (influenza), and 2.5% (COVID-19) of tested children.
  • RSV associated with tachypnea, retractions, rales, and specific radiographic findings.
  • Influenza linked to increased cough; COVID-19 associated with lower likelihood of fever, cough, and hypoxia.
  • No significant differences in antibiotic prescription or time to daily life recovery across viral groups.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical and radiographic presentations of pediatric pneumonia differ significantly by causative virus.
  • These distinctions can aid in etiological diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings without widespread viral testing.
  • Understanding viral-specific presentations may refine diagnostic and management strategies for childhood pneumonia.

Keywords:
COVID-19RSVinfluenzapediatricspneumonia

More Related Videos

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness12:21

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

3.3K
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

15.7K

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
4.0K
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
17
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
1.2K
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
32
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
1.3K
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
3.9K