Bronchitis in a child - how to treat and how?

For some, winter holidays are a time of sledges, skis, snowballs and ice skating. However, for many children, this is a period when the risk of getting sick increases, a runny nose, cough, and fever appear. And if a simple acute respiratory viral infection or ARI does not pose a particular danger to the baby, then bronchitis is a serious disease that can lead to the development of pneumonia - the main cause of death of children under the age of 4 years. Therefore, let's start our article with a warning: if your child has a fever, cough and runny nose for several days, call a doctor. So, the doctor told you that the child has bronchitis. How to treat this disease? The doctor will also tell you about this, based on the age and condition of the patient. We will give general information.

First of all, let's figure out what happens in the body when a child has bronchitis? What to treat - a little later. 

Bronchitis is the formation of sputum (mucus) in inflamed bronchi. The mucus comes out in the form of a runny nose, which the child blows out, and the sputum clears. That is, if the child has stopped coughing, the inflammation has passed.

What is the cause of bronchitis?

1. Infection (virus, bacterium, or both at once).

2. Allergens.

3. Harmful substances (exhaust gases, cigarette smoke).

Therefore, the reason that frequent bronchitis in a child may be unsuitable living conditions. If you change them, for example, move from an area where an allergen blooms, the disease may not return.

Also, this disease is classified according to the duration of its course:

1. Acute bronchitis - 10-20 days.

2. Recurrent - three times a year and more often.

3. Chronic - three months or more every 1-2 years.

Before proceeding to the consideration of the question: "What to do? The child has bronchitis!" - we note the main symptoms of this disease:

1. Wheezing is a clear sign of the so-called obstructive bronchitis.

2. Most often it all starts with a runny nose and cough, then suddenly the temperature rises (up to 38.5-39⁰C).

3. "Gurgling" wheezing when inhaling and exhaling or hard breathing.

Only a doctor can distinguish rhinopharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx and nasal mucosa) from bronchitis and pneumonia. He will listen to the lungs and tap the chest with his fingers to assess the condition of the lung tissues. Therefore, do not diagnose yourself.

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If the diagnosis of "bronchitis" in a child is confirmed, how to treat it depends entirely on the nature of the disease: a virus, a bacterium or both at the same time. In the last two cases, the basis of treatment is antibiotics. It is necessary to take a blood test, the results of which will give an idea of the cause of the disease. If bronchitis is recurrent, an analysis is performed - sputum culture.

Viral bronchitis is much easier, sputum is transparent and slightly yellow. Sometimes, even without treatment, the disease disappears. With the bacterial form, there is pus in the sputum, the baby is weak and can refuse to eat. If the child is not treated, this condition lasts for a very long time. Therefore, while maintaining an elevated temperature and a severe cough, antibiotics are taken on the third day. If you notice traces of blood in the baby's sputum, tell the doctor about it! This may be a symptom of a serious lung disease.

So, the diagnosis is "bronchitis in a child". How to treat and how?

1. Ensure the humidity in the room. It is better to buy a modern humidifier, but if there is no such possibility, hang wet towels on all batteries.

2. Do not feed the baby if he does not want to.

3. Give the baby as much liquid as possible. Everything will do: tea, water, juice, compote... This will help dilute the sputum.

4. Do not bring down the temperature to 38 degrees - it helps the body in the fight against viruses.

5. Take antibiotics only as prescribed by a doctor.

6. If antibiotics are taken for more than 5 days, give the child any remedy for the prevention of dysbiosis.

7. Do not give cough remedies without a doctor's recommendation! Yes, don't be surprised! Mucolytics are prescribed only in severe cases of the disease, and they are completely contraindicated for children under two years of age.

8. Inhalations. The type of this procedure (steam, oil, etc.) will be prescribed by a doctor.