About this topic
Bronchitis is a problem with your childs lungs. It can last for a little while or for a long time. The lining of the airways to the lungs are irritated and swollen. There is often a cough. The lungs make a lot of mucus trying to get rid of whatever is bothering them. Children with this illness often make wheezing noises when they breathe. Your child may have problems breathing and become tired easily. Bronchitis may be caused by an infection or lung irritant. Acute bronchitis often follows a cold. It is a mild health problem that most often goes away on it own. ‚
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What are the causes?
- Virus ¢ ˆ ’ the most common cause in children
- Bacteria ¢ ˆ ’ more common in children older than 6 years of age
- Allergens and dust
- Fumes and chemical cleaners
- Tobacco smoke
- Smog or high levels of air pollution
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Common cold or upper respiratory infection
- Asthma
- Close contact with a person who has bronchitis
- Secondhand smoke
- Smog and high levels of air pollution
- Long-term (chronic) sinusitis
- Allergies
- Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
What are the main signs?
- Slight fever
- Chills
- Overall body aches or pain
- Back and muscle pain
- Runny nose, more often before cough starts
- Sore throat
- Cough, begins dry, then with mucus that may be thick, yellow, green, blood-streaked
- Throwing up or gagging with cough
- Wheezing
Your child should feel better in 7 to 14 days, but signs can last for 3 to 4 weeks. ‚
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will ask about your childs signs and history and do an exam. ‚
The doctor may order: ‚
- Blood tests
- Chest x-ray
- Pulse oximetry to see how much oxygen is in the blood
- Arterial blood gas to see how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in the blood
- Culture of nasal discharge and sputum
- Pulmonary function test (PFT) or spirometry to see how well the lungs are working
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Most care is aimed at relieving the signs and includes: ‚
- Drinking more liquids
- Cool mist humidifier
What drugs may be needed?
Most of the time, drugs are not needed to treat acute bronchitis. Even children who have been coughing for 8 to 10 days may not need drugs. The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
- Control coughing
Most of the time, antihistamines should be avoided because they dry up the discharge and can make the cough worse. ‚
What problems could happen?
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that OTC cough and cold drugs not be given to infants and children younger than 2 years because of the chance of very bad side effects. Studies also show that cough and cold products do not work in children younger than 6 years of age and could have serious side effects. ‚
A virus often causes acute bronchitis in children. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Most children with acute bronchitis do not need antibiotics. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can make the strain of disease less reactive to that antibiotic over time. If needed to treat an infection in the future, it may not work as well or at all. Do not ask for antibiotics if your childs doctor says they are not needed. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Have your child stay away from people who have bronchitis.
- Have your child wash hands often with soap and water.
- Keep your child from sharing forks, spoons, drinking cups, toothbrushes, washcloths, or towels with anyone who has had a cold or fever.
- Wash dishes and silverware in hot, soapy water.
- Keep your child away from lung irritants like tobacco smoke, dust, and fumes.
- Make sure your child eats healthy foods and drinks lots of fluids.
- Make sure your child gets lots of rest.
Where can I learn more?
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/bronchitis/ ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/bronchitis-bronchite/index_e.php ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/common/bronchitis.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚