Is your child up all night due to a chesty, heavy cough? Perhaps your youngster has bronchitis. Acute bronchitis, often known as a chest cold, is a condition where the bronchi, which are the body’s main airways to the lungs, expand and produce too much mucus. The cough appears suddenly and typically disappears without particular therapy within three weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), viral infections frequently result in acute bronchitis. It’s referred to as viral bronchitis. Bacterial bronchitis, on the other hand, is a condition that can also be brought on by bacteria in the bronchi. Another possibility is chronic bronchitis, albeit according to a 2020 study, youngsters rarely have a chronic cough.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of bronchitis in children, how it is identified, and the antibiotic and over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can be used to treat it.
Children’s symptoms of bronchitis
The most blatant indication that your child has bronchitis is a cough. Mucus that ranges in color from clear to yellow, gray, or green may or may not accompany the cough at first. The hue is not a reliable indicator of bacterial infection. Additionally, your youngster might complain that coughing hurts their chest.
Additional signs include:
- fever
- chills
- unwell throat
- blocked nose
- body aches or a headache
- fatigue
Other signs and symptoms could include wheezing and loss of breath. They are more frequently linked to chronic bronchitis, according to the National Health Service (NHS). Other medical disorders may potentially be linked to these symptoms.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician if they exhibit either of these symptoms.
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What causes childhood bronchitis?
Bronchitis comes in a variety of forms based on the underlying etiology. Your child’s doctor will first need to evaluate whether your child has acute (short-term), chronic (long-term), viral, or bacterial bronchitis before coming up with a treatment plan.
Flu-like bronchitis
The ALA states that an upper respiratory infection like the flu or the common cold can cause acute bronchitis. Viral bronchitis is the medical term for this condition. The duration of this disease may range from 7 to 10 days, however, the CDC reports that the cough could extend up to 3 weeks. When you have viral bronchitis, your cough usually goes away on its own. Antibiotics do not work on viruses.
In the general population, acute bronchitis cases are approximately 95%.
Infected bronchitis
Bacterial bronchitis is the term used to describe acute bronchitis that results from bacterial growth in the bronchi. This kind of bronchitis is less frequent than viral bronchitis, according to the NHS. However, the symptoms could be similar and transient. In fact, according to research conduc
Only 5 percent of acute bronchitis cases in the general population are brought on by bacteria.
Persistent bronchitis
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) states that chronic bronchitis lasts more than 4 weeks or returns after treatment. Chronic bronchitis and other behaviors are linked to smoking. It is therefore rarely diagnosed in children.
Only about 5.5 percent of Swedish teenagers were diagnosed with this disease in a 2020 study. They smoked, on average, to the tune of 37%.
Which kids are more susceptible to a bronchial infection?
Every youngster has a chance of getting acute bronchitis. However, some children can be more susceptible to it than others.
Risk elements consist of:
- asthma
- allergies to things like pollen or perfume
- ongoing sinus problems
- exposure to pollution outside
- exposure to passive smoking
- dwelling in an occupied space
Related content: Persistent Bacterial Bronchitis: What Is It?
Potential side effects of pediatric bronchitis
Acute bronchitis typically goes better on its own in 3 weeks, according to the NHS. If it doesn’t, it’s crucial to engage with your child’s doctor to get them treated or get them checked out further.
Pneumonia, which occurs when the infection extends to the lung tissue, may manifest in some youngsters. Pneumonia may develop in about 1 in 20 episodes of bronchitis, however, this estimate also includes adults with other medical conditions.
Your kid’s doctor may want to investigate additional lung disorders like chronic bronchitis or maybe asthma if your child experiences recurrent bouts of bronchitis and certain risk factors.
Child bronchitis treatment
If a virus is to blame for your child’s bronchitis, antibiotic treatment will be ineffective. Instead, a doctor could advise resting and consuming lots of liquids.
An air humidifier that produces a cool mist can aid with breathing. Children who are older (4 years and older, per the CDC, unless otherwise noted) may also experience some relief from over-the-counter cough suppressants or cough drops. Honey can be used to treat coughs in younger children over the age of one.
OTC medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to address additional symptoms like fever or headache. Additionally, if your child has problems breathing, a doctor may recommend an inhaler.
The CDC and ALA both state that treatment for bacterial bronchitis is optional. When antibiotics are necessary, the standard course of treatment is a 5-day to a 2-week supply of an oral medication like amoxicillin. Your child’s doctor will recommend what’s best for your child along with any additional breathing aids, such as inhalers or nebulizers if required.
Related content: Debunking Bronchitis Myths and Facts
The right time to take your child to the doctor
Schedule a visit to get your child’s cough examined, especially if they have risk factors like asthma or other underlying medical issues.
Visit your pediatrician as well if:
- The cough lasts more than 3 weeks.
- They are suffering from a temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher.
- The mucous contains blood.
- They have respiratory issues.
- They experience bronchitis flare-ups frequently.
How to shield kids from getting bronchitis?
Contagious bronchitis exists. Frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of acute bronchitis since viruses are the primary cause of most cases. The CDC advises, where practical, separating children with the disease from others.
Other preventative measures
- Teach your child to sneeze into their bent elbow or do a “vampire cough” by doing so. Or demonstrate another method for covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Don’t smoke in front of your kids or expose them to other pollutants or secondhand smoke in any other way.
- Keep your child’s immunizations, especially the flu shot, up to date.
- Other things you can do to support your health include eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water, and getting the proper amount of sleep each night.
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