The seasonal weather creates favorable conditions for bacteria to develop, making children very susceptible to respiratory diseases. Acute bronchitis in children is the most common disease. Although it can be cured on its own, without prompt care and treatment, the disease can cause dangerous complications. Therefore, parents need to be equipped with knowledge about this disease to be able to best care for their children.
What is bronchitis in children ?
Bronchitis in children is an inflammatory phenomenon, swelling of the bronchial lining. It is often difficult to diagnose in young children and often presents with infections of the upper respiratory tract or lung parenchyma. There are two most common types of bronchitis :
Acute bronchitis: usually improves in a few days even though the child may still have a cough for more than 1 week.
Chronic bronchitis: the disease repeats many times and can cause dangerous complications.
Causes of acute bronchitis in children
Acute bronchitis is often caused by a virus - When the body has weak resistance or remission, in a polluted environment, the weather suddenly turns cold, the stronger these bacteria are, especially in nose and throat and cause disease.
Usually occurs in children with allergies, chronic sinusitis or those with tonsils and excessively enlarged adenoids.
Environmental factors such as dust, allergens, and secondhand smoke can cause illness; Acute bronchitis can be the cause or result of an asthma attack .
If the adverse environmental conditions persist, the child's disease can easily become chronic. In addition, when children take long baths, showers too cold, sit in the air conditioner or stand in front of the air conditioner the wrong way are also common causes of bronchitis.
Symptoms of acute bronchitis
Bronchitis is a very common disease in young children, but there are no obvious signs. Symptoms vary from child to child, but common symptoms include:
A runny nose, usually before a child coughs
Discomfort, or general ill feeling
Chills
Low-grade fever
Back pain and muscle pain
Sore throat
Severe symptoms of the disease
Children have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius for many days.
Cough, cough with prolonged phlegm (2-3 weeks).
Weakness in limbs, fatigue, dry lips and skin, sweating, a lack of appetite and difficulty breathing.
Children wheeze or breathe through their mouths, heart palpitations.
Pale skin, pale lips and fingertips, and purple toes.
Nausea, diarrhea.
Lying in a lethargy, lethargic or convulsive.
Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis in children
Usually, a doctor can diagnose bronchitis based solely on the child's medical history and physical examination. Some tests may be ordered, including chest X-rays, blood tests and sputum cultures, to rule out other diseases and to confirm a diagnosis.
Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own - symptoms usually last one to two weeks. Make sure your child gets rest, drinks plenty of water and juice. It is important to consult a doctor if the mother feels unsure about the child's health.
How disease prevention?
Building resistance for babies right from the time they are still in the womb to avoid premature babies, poor health.
Breastfeeding exclusively with breast milk for at least the first 6 months, do not wean too early.
Actively keep your child warm, wear a mask and protect them from changes in weather and cold air.
Keep the environment around the house clean, limit smoke, smoke, etc.
Isolate children from people with respiratory illness and viral infections.
See more:
Children with bronchitis: Cause and treatment to cure your child
Bronchiolitis Parents take great care when the season is changed
Acute nasopharyngitis in children: Causes and effective prevention