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Bronchitis is a common childhood disease. It can be mild or severe. The younger the child, the more severe the disease process. In the neonatal period, bronchitis is even a life-threatening disease, especially as there is no sharp border between bronchitis and pneumonia in the newborn.
It is most common in children acute bronchitis. It is usually preceded by the features of catarrhal infection, and the diseases are seasonal – they dominate in the autumn, winter and spring period.
Bronchitis – the first symptoms
A common symptom of bronchitis is coughwhich is initially dry and varying in intensity. It exhausts the baby a lot – especially when it intensifies at night, making it difficult to sleep properly. You experience low-grade fever or fever, increased sweating, rapid breathing and even shortness of breath – especially in young children. Infants and toddlers may experience wheezing accompanied by ‘expiratory grunting’, which parents refer to as ‘asthma’. The sick child is very tired from coughing, more drowsy than usual. There may be small spots on the skin of the face (a pinpoint rash of red or maroon color). Vomiting is also quite common when coughing.
Development of bronchitis
After about 2-3 days, the cough changes its character. It is less tiring, and the discharge that appears in the airways makes it become “wet”. A small child cannot cough up bronchial secretions. So he swallows her, which provokes her vomiting with mucopurulent contents. The child’s appetite is clearly weakened because the secretion in the stomach impairs the secretion of gastric acid. Older children can spit discharge when they cough. If it is yellow-green it is evidence of bacterial superinfection.
Any child whose parents suspect bronchitis should be examined by a doctor. He will assess the young patient’s general condition and decide whether treatment can be at home or if a hospital stay is necessary. Newborns and young infants with bronchitis should be hospitalized, because it is impossible to predict what the disease dynamics will be and when the child’s health may “break down”.
Bronchitis – treatment
In the initial stage of the disease, when there are only signs of viral infection, it is not necessary to use an antibiotic. The baby will be given plenty of fluids to drink and will take antipyretic drugs. You can also use antitussive preparations (but not containing codeine) – especially if the child is tired of persistent cough. In the treatment of bronchitis, moisturizing inhalations with saline, carried out with the use of ultrasonic inhalers, are very useful in relieving cough.
Persistent fever, persistent cough and the presence of purulent discharge in the bronchi are usually present indications for the inclusion of an antibiotic. Depending on the nature of the auscultatory changes, the doctor will also prescribe expectorants, inhalations of secretions thinning preparations, and in the event of “wheezing” – bronchodilators.
Often, supporters of alternative medicine recommend cupping. However, keep in mind that this should not be done with children under 3-4. age. If you want to use this method of healing and strengthening immunity, order the Vacuum Flameless Chinese Cupping Kit, which is simple and convenient to use.
A very important element of the therapy of a child with bronchitis is his proper care. In the room where the little patient is, the temperature should be 19-21 degrees Celsius. The room should be ventilated regularly – of course, while taking the child out of it during this time. The baby’s clothes should be loose, airy – preferably cotton, easily absorbing sweat. Do not cover your baby with thick blankets or duvets – especially if he has a fever. The exception is the chills, when the child covers himself “almost head-on”. The diet of a small patient should be easily digestible, with plenty of fluids in the form of compotes, juices and cool fruit tea or tea with lemon.