This article takes a closer look at bronchitis and the impact it has on children. It explains common causes and symptoms of bronchitis, and then looks at the specifics with children and this common respiratory condition
Acute bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes (airways in the lungs) become infected or inflamed. Normally, air moves in and out of these airways easily. When a child has acute bronchitis, the tubes become narrowed, making it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This causes shortness of breath and coughing or wheezing. Acute bronchitis usually goes away without treatment in a few days to a few weeks.
What Causes Acute Bronchitis?
- A cold or the flu
- A bacterial infection
- Exposure to irritants such as tobacco smoke, smog, and household cleaners
- Other respiratory problems, such as asthma
- What Are the Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis?
- Acute bronchitis usually comes on suddenly, often after a cold or flu.
- Noisy breathing or wheezing
- Mucus buildup in the airways and lungs
- Slight fever and chills
- Chest retractions (sucking in of the skin around the ribs when your child inhales, a sign of difficult breathing)
- Coughing up yellowish-gray or green mucus (may indicate a bacterial infection)
How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed?
Your child's health history, a physical exam, and certain tests can help your child's doctor diagnose bronchitis. During the exam, the doctor will listen to your child's chest and check his or her ears, nose, and throat. One or more of these tests may also be done:
- Sputum culture: Fluid from your child's lungs may be checked for bacteria.
- Chest x-ray: Your child may have a chest x-ray to look for pneumonia (bacterial infection in the lungs).
- Other tests: Your child's doctor may order other tests to check for underlying problems such as allergies or asthma. Your child may be referred to a specialist for these tests.
The best treatment for acute bronchitis is to ease symptoms. To help your child feel more comfortable:
- Give your child plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, or warm soup. Fluids loosen mucus, helping your child breathe more easily. They also prevent dehydration.
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
- Keep your house smoke-free.
- Use "children's strength" medication for symptoms. Discuss all over-the-counter products with the doctor before using them, including cough syrup.
- Never give a child under age 18 aspirin to treat a fever unless your doctor says it's okay. (It could cause a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome.)
- Your child's doctor will prescribe antibiotics only if your child has a bacterial infection. In that case:
- Make sure your child takes ALL the medication, even if he or she feels better. Otherwise, the infection may come back.
- Be sure that your child takes the medication as directed. For example, some antibiotics should be taken with food.
- Ask your child's doctor or pharmacist what side effects the medication may cause and what to do about them.
To help your child stay healthy:
- Teach children to wash their hands often. It's the best way to prevent most infections.
- Don't let anyone smoke in your house or around your child.
- Make sure children 6 months to 2 years get a flu shot each year. They're at high risk of flu, which can lead to bronchitis.
- Tips for Proper Handwashing
- Use warm water and plenty of soap. Work up a good lather.
- Clean the whole hand, under the nails, between fingers, and up the wrists.
- Wash for at least 10-15 seconds (as long as it takes to say the ABCs or sing "Happy Birthday"). Don't just wipe-scrub well.
- Rinse well. Let the water run down the fingers, not up the wrists.
- In a public restroom, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
- Symptoms that get worse, or new symptoms
- Trouble breathing
- Retractions (skin sucking in around the ribs when your child inhales)
- Symptoms that don't start to improve within a week, or within 3 days of taking antibiotics
- Recurring bronchial infections