World Pneumonia Day is marked every year on 12 November to raise awareness of pneumonia, the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide. WHO estimates pneumonia killed about 740,000 children under five in 2019, around 14% of all deaths in that age group, most of them in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these deaths can be prevented with simple, affordable care.
Signs of pneumonia in children
- Cough or difficulty breathing
- Fast breathing (count for a full minute while the child is calm)
- Chest indrawing: the lower chest wall sucks in when the child breathes in
- Fever (may be absent in young infants)
- Grunting, nasal flaring, or noisy breathing
- Poor feeding, vomiting, unusual sleepiness
Fast breathing cut-offs (WHO IMCI)
| Age | Fast breathing is |
|---|---|
| Under 2 months | 60 breaths per minute or more |
| 2 to 12 months | 50 breaths per minute or more |
| 12 months to 5 years | 40 breaths per minute or more |
Danger signs: refer urgently
- Unable to drink or breastfeed
- Vomiting everything
- Convulsions
- Lethargic or unconscious
- Stridor when calm
- Oxygen saturation below 90% (use pulse oximetry wherever available)
- Central cyanosis
Protect, prevent, treat
Protect
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
- Good nutrition and vitamin A supplementation where recommended
- Reducing indoor air pollution from cooking fires and smoking
Prevent
- Vaccination: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles and pertussis
- Handwashing with soap
- Preventing and treating HIV in children
Treat
- Most pneumonia in children can be treated with oral amoxicillin, as per national guidelines
- Oxygen for children with low saturation saves lives
- Early care-seeking: teach parents the danger signs
What nurses can do this World Pneumonia Day
- Count respiratory rates properly: a full minute, child calm, chest exposed.
- Use a pulse oximeter on every child with cough or difficulty breathing.
- Check vaccination cards at every visit and catch up missed PCV doses.
- Teach mothers to recognise fast breathing and chest indrawing.
- Advocate for reliable oxygen supply in your facility.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Pneumonia Day?
12 November every year.
Is pneumonia contagious?
The germs that cause pneumonia (bacteria and viruses) can spread through coughs and sneezes, but not everyone exposed develops pneumonia.
Can pneumonia be prevented by vaccines?
Yes. PCV, Hib, measles and pertussis vaccines prevent many cases of pneumonia in children.
Related reading: IMCI danger signs in a sick child · Pneumonia nursing care plan · Bronchiolitis and croup in children
Source: WHO pneumonia in children fact sheet. Updated 5 November 2026.
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