Bronchitis Symptoms in Children

Inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes is known as bronchitis. These tubes are the air carrier tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. A person can suffer either from acute or chronic bronchitis. Out of these, acute bronchitis is not as serious as its chronic version.

It is often caused, either due to cold or a respiratory infection. On the other hand, chronic infection is caused due to constant irritation of the bronchial tubes and, is more commonly observed in smokers. Often, the symptoms of this disease, in children, are looked upon as chest cold or pneumonia, because the symptoms are similar.

The most common cause of bronchitis is common cold and flu. Viral bronchitis is caused by influenza A and B viruses. Like viruses, bacteria can also cause this infection. Bacterial bronchitis is caused by bacteria called 'Mycoplasma pneumoniae'. It is also commonly known as walking pneumonia.

It can also be caused due to inhalation of dust particles or fumes, which irritate the bronchial tubes. People who are often exposed to chemical solvents or those who smoke regularly, can also suffer from bronchitis due to the fumes and smoke.

Children can suffer from this respiratory problem due to certain medical conditions, like, asthma, allergies to certain particles, sinus infections, or even due to frequent tonsil infections. It is commonly seen that premature babies are more susceptible to bronchitis.

Frequent cough is one of the acute symptoms. Normally, the child will suffer from dry cough initially. However, after a few days, the cough will bring up mucus from the lungs. Often, it is seen that the cough worsens at night, which may make it difficult for the child to sleep.

Constant coughing can also cause the child to vomit. Chest pain while coughing is also a common symptom of this infection. You may notice, that the child may have a high pitched noise similar to wheezing, more so, after he has had a bout of cough.

In some cases, the child may also run out of breath for a short period. Normally, acute bronchitis in toddlers does not last longer than 7 to 8 days. However, the cough caused due to this lung infection can last for a few weeks.

You will notice, that the child will feel tired and suffer from body ache. Often, children also suffer from fever, chills, or even sore throat, when they suffer from this infection of the lungs. The child may either have a runny or a stuffy nose.

An infant having bronchitis, will develop crankiness and cry more often. The appetite of the child may be affected and the child will prefer to be in bed more often.

The signs of chronic bronchitis include excessive mucus, cough, which gets worse in the morning and in damp weather. Frequent respiratory infection is also one of the symptoms of this severe lung infection.

For the treatment, the first step is to use a humidifier or vaporizer and make it easier for the child to breathe. However, it is important to clean the humidifier regularly, so that there is no germ accumulation that can cause further infection.

Consumption of fluids is one of the best remedies for treating this lung infection. When the child is well hydrated, the air passages remain moist and are in a better position to get rid of germs and other irritants, which are responsible for aggravating the condition. Offering steam to the child can also prove effective in the treatment of bronchitis.

For a toddler, you can make use of the bathroom shower steam. It will help in freeing the air passages. Along with these, honey is also a good natural remedy for this infection. A single dose of honey can be given to the child in the evening. However, this remedy cannot be used for children below the age of 1.

Take a cup of warm milk, add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, and give it to the child if you want to treat your child in a natural way. Several herbs can also be useful in treating the child with bronchitis. However, if your child is suffering from chronic infection, it is better to have the child diagnosed by a pediatrician.

Looking at the child's condition, the pediatrician will be in a better position to administer the correct treatment for him/her.

If the symptoms of bronchitis last longer in children, it's better to seek medical opinion. Since bronchitis is infectious in some cases, it's better to keep the child away from other kids, to prevent the infection from spreading.