Bronchitis in Children

Bronchitis in children is the inflammatory situation of lungs, airways or bronchial tubes called bronchi. Bronchitis is of many types, out of which the most common types are chronic and acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is more common in adults, whereas acute is common in children. This illness takes place when windpipe and airways get inflamed within the lungs due to infection or irritation.

Bronchitis is caused by many factors that include indoor air pollution. Children get affected to this illness by getting a contagious virus. It is only doctors who can correctly diagnose the problem and prescribe proper treatment.

Causes of Bronchitis in Children

• Bronchitis is commonly caused due to virus called respiratory Syncytial virus.
• Acute bronchitis occurs when your child breathes air that has chemical fumes or pollution.
• Some medical problems can also contribute to the occurrence of this disease. Medical problems contributing to this illness can be swollen tonsils, asthma, heart problems or some severe allergies.

Symptoms of Bronchitis in Children

Both types of bronchitis are almost similar. As acute bronchitis is more common in children, detailed information on its symptoms are mentioned. Acute bronchitis is caused due to viral infection and can progress as a productive cough with fatigue or headache. Other symptoms are:

• Body ache
• Chills or fever
• Sore throat or stuffy nose
• Short of breathing with wheezing that makes a high-pitched noise which lasts for seven days.
• Constant cough for at least 14 days
• Child feels tired
• Fast breathing that results in dehydration

Chronic bronchitis occurs due to exposure of tobacco smoke or other irritants which result the airways in over production of mucus. This lessens the airflow and causes severe coughing. Usually, the reason for occurrence of this disease has been overlapping with chronic respiratory problem like asthma.

Usually, the symptoms of bronchitis in children get worse in five to ten days and fail to respond to antibiotics.

Diagnosis: To confirm whether your child has bronchitis problem, your doctor will suggest you some test that your child must perform.

X-Ray of Chest: Your child's lungs and heart's x-ray will be taken to look for the signs of infection like pneumonia. The x-ray results also show presence of fluid around the child's lungs.

Blood Tests: Your child might have to go through some blood tests. It is taken from the blood vessel in the arm or hand to see whether his/her body is performing well.

Treating Bronchitis in Children

The only goal of bronchitis treatment is to relive your child from pain and let him/ her leave a comfortable life. Treatment includes intake of fluids and a decongestant. Medicines like cough syrup or some vaporizer in his/her bedroom can help your child to breathe and sleep comfortable. Your child must drink lots of fluids in order to stay hydrated.

Your doctor will examine and determine if your child has bronchitis or not. He/ she will suggest you some antibiotics if the disease is due to bacteria. If the illness is caused due to some virus, then only its signs can be treated. In case if your child is having fever, then dosage of Paracetamol is advisable. Other than the medicines prescribed, your child will need lots of rest and steam added to household air.

Preventive Measures

• Make sure that you eliminate the expectorants to get diluted with mucus. This will result in making sleep uneasy. Giving cough linctuses at bedtime can help.
• If cough persists for a long time and is not getting improved, then it can be a bad sign. Make sure that you immediately contact the doctor.
• Children who have bronchitis are likely to get asthma in future. However, it�s not sure whether bronchitis causes asthma or whether children who develop asthma early are prone to develop bronchitis as infants.
• Breathing work can be lessened if you keep your child�s head elevated. Try not to let your child use the pillow if he/she is less than 12 years of age.

When you suspect this illness in your child, do not panic. Bronchitis in children is not for a long time and gets treated on its own. Seek the experts� advice only when you think that illness is not getting cured or it is getting worse. Diagnosing the illness at the right time can definitely prevent your child and let him/her live a healthy and happy life.