Acute respiratory viral infections are sometimes complicated by a disease of the underlying respiratory tract. What to do if a child develops bronchitis? Treatment of respiratory diseases in children usually includes antibiotic therapy, suppression of an obsessive dry cough in the initial period, and removal of mucosal edema. When the cough becomes wet, the child is prescribed drugs that thin the sputum and facilitate its coughing.
How does the disease begin?
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi. Through them, air flows from the upper respiratory tract into the pulmonary alveoli. The wall of the bronchi is internally covered with a mucous membrane lined with ciliary epithelium. Among its cells are glands and goblet cells that produce mucus. With bronchitis, hyperemia and swelling of the mucosa develops, after a while, the formation of mucus and desquamation of the ciliary epithelium intensifies. Together, this leads to impaired airway obstruction and difficulty breathing.
At the beginning of the disease, we observe dry bronchitis. Treatment in children during this period should be aimed at relieving swelling of the mucosa and reducing painful dry cough. The general condition for bronchitis is usually satisfactory. The temperature is normal or low-grade. Therefore, children can do hot or contrast foot baths and other distracting procedures.
Mustard plasters can be placed on the chest and back. Young children are recommended to make mustard wraps. Steam inhalation can be used. With herbs, they must be approached carefully. The fact is that some children may have an allergic mood to medicinal herbs, and this will cause bronchospasm and respiratory depression.
Among the causes of bronchitis are infection, the effect of physical and chemical factors, such as hypothermia, dustiness of the air, the presence of harmful substances in it. There are allergic bronchitis. Although the causative agents of respiratory viral infections most often cause bronchitis, treatment in children with this disease should take into account that bacterial infection almost always overlays a viral infection. It can be staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci and other bacteria. They cause purulent bronchitis. The treatment of the disease must therefore include antibiotics from the very beginning.
Symptoms of bronchitis
At the beginning of the disease, patients complain of a feeling of rawness behind the sternum, malaise. They have an excruciating dry cough, which is replaced by a wet cough for 2-5 days, with the mucous membrane or mucopurulent sputum leaving. Headache may bother you. The temperature is usually normal, sometimes subfebrile.
If small bronchi are affected, a sick child may develop the so-called obstructive syndrome associated with impaired patency. In this case, shortness of breath appears . The child's breathing is difficult on exhalation, wheezing. Especially often it causes allergic bronchitis. Its treatment should include desensitizing antihistamines, and in severe cases, hormones.
What predisposes to bronchitis
The occurrence of bronchitis is facilitated by: hypothermia, impaired nasal breathing, adenoids, foci of infection in the nasopharynx, decreased immunity.
Bronchitis treatment
If bronchitis is diagnosed , treatment in children is usually done on an outpatient basis. But in case of complications of pneumonia, the doctor can send the child to the hospital. Children are also hospitalized for obstructive bronchitis. During treatment, antibiotics are prescribed, most often in injections. Drink plenty of water, mustard plasters, cans, alcohol compresses on the chest, hot foot baths. Expectorant and antitussive drugs are prescribed. In obstructive syndrome, drugs that contribute to the expansion of the bronchi, sometimes hormones. With allergic bronchitis - antihistamines.
If the child coughs and other signs of bronchitis, you should consult a doctor. Timely initiated treatment will contribute to the quick and complete recovery of your baby.