Child Pneumonia and Food

 Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

Children are more likely to develop pneumonia in cold weather due to their low body resistance. Physicians prescribe medicines to such children and if we do not take care of their food, they might face more problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people and a physician about this issue.

Shirullah, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says: “My cousin was suffering from pneumonia. The physician advised her medicines and prevented her from eating fatty and greasy foods and she died of pneumonia.”

A mother, Wazhma says, “My son is suffering from pneumonia. I have taken him to the hospital for treatment. I prevent him from eating citrus, cold water, greasy foods, and grapes. He vomits during coughing and could not breathe easily.”

Doctor Ahmad Shah Ilham, a child specialist at Indira Gandhi children’s Hospital, Kabul city talks about foods during child pneumonia, “If parents don’t care about the food of pneumonia affected children and they do not feed them with nutritious foods, their body resistance might go lower and the disease might develop and the patient might face more problems.”

How do people take care of their children’s food during pneumonia?

Nadia Wardak says, “My son was always suffering from pneumonia in cold season. I was feeding him 5-6 times daily with potatoes, rice, boiled eggs, and honey in the milk. The physician also had prescribed him medicines and he recovered from pneumonia.”

Sima, a resident of Kabul city says, “One of my children was suffering more from pneumonia and I took him the hospital. Besides the medicines, I was feeding him with vegetable and chicken soup; beans and more liquids and he recovered from pneumonia.”

Doctor Ilham says, “There are no special diets during pneumonia. We advise soft foods and liquids to keep the chest soften, loosen hard mucus and prevent more coughing. Honey mixed with milk, vegetable soup, and hot liquids is more beneficial for pneumonia. Fresh fruits and nourishing foods help more in pneumonia.”