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Child Taking Antibiotics For Pneumonia. Sudden Nose Bleeding. Related To Pneumonia?
Question: My 6 year old has pneumonia and is currently on antibiotics. Suddenly his nose is bleeding with small clots. Is this normal?
Dear T,
Thanks for the query.
I have very little information from you regarding your son's illness. However, a nose bleed is generally not linked to a pneumonia unless the patient is very sick and in the hospital for a major infection. In your case, the nose bleed will have to be seen by a doctor. I also need to know which antibiotics are being given, although, by and large, no usual antibiotics will cause a nose-bleed as a side-effect.
The best thing to do when he actually bleeds is to seat him in a well-ventilated, shaded spot outdoors or in a cool room indoors and make him bend his head forward. Ask him to open his mouth and breathe through the mouth. At the same time, pinch his nose with your thumb and index finger and keep the pressure high enough to press on the bleeding capillaries within the nose cavity. You should also make him relax, reassure him that he will be well soon, and send for the car to take him to the EMS if the bleed does not subside with about 10-15 minutes' pressure.
The most common reason for a nose bleed is picking of the nose by the child; the second is direct or indirect injury, and the other common causes are exposure to cold, infection with some kinds of nose viruses, esp. the adenovirus (google that, please, if you need to learn more), and sinus infection.
I think I have given you sufficient information to begin to consider some of these causes; in case he does not bleed again, well, no problems, but if he does, I would strongly recommend seeing either his pediatrician or the ENT specialist.
With warm regards and wishes for his speedy recovery,
Dr. Taher Kagalwala
Thanks for the query.
I have very little information from you regarding your son's illness. However, a nose bleed is generally not linked to a pneumonia unless the patient is very sick and in the hospital for a major infection. In your case, the nose bleed will have to be seen by a doctor. I also need to know which antibiotics are being given, although, by and large, no usual antibiotics will cause a nose-bleed as a side-effect.
The best thing to do when he actually bleeds is to seat him in a well-ventilated, shaded spot outdoors or in a cool room indoors and make him bend his head forward. Ask him to open his mouth and breathe through the mouth. At the same time, pinch his nose with your thumb and index finger and keep the pressure high enough to press on the bleeding capillaries within the nose cavity. You should also make him relax, reassure him that he will be well soon, and send for the car to take him to the EMS if the bleed does not subside with about 10-15 minutes' pressure.
The most common reason for a nose bleed is picking of the nose by the child; the second is direct or indirect injury, and the other common causes are exposure to cold, infection with some kinds of nose viruses, esp. the adenovirus (google that, please, if you need to learn more), and sinus infection.
I think I have given you sufficient information to begin to consider some of these causes; in case he does not bleed again, well, no problems, but if he does, I would strongly recommend seeing either his pediatrician or the ENT specialist.
With warm regards and wishes for his speedy recovery,
Dr. Taher Kagalwala
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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