Bronchitis - symptoms and treatment in children. How to detect bronchitis in children in time: the main symptoms Acute bronchitis in a child 2

The incidence of bronchitis among children aged 3-8 years is quite high, which is due to the anatomical features of the bronchial tree of babies and the underdevelopment of the immune system.

With proper medical care, inflammation is treated quickly and without complications, especially if symptoms are recognized in time in children.

Depending on the pathogen and the characteristics of the child's body, bronchitis can take various forms. Babies are most often diagnosed with:

acute bronchitis;
recurrent;
chronic;
obstructive;
allergic;
bronchiolitis.

Each type of bronchitis is characterized by both general and specific symptoms. Only taking into account the characteristics of the form of the disease, you can choose the right treatment.

Acute symptoms

Acute bronchitis is common among children of different age categories. It is characterized by an inflammatory process in the bronchial tree in the absence of lesions of the lung tissue. Its occurrence is often associated with an untreated viral disease or hypothermia.

For the initial stage of acute bronchitis, the appearance of such common signs as a feeling of malaise, apathy, headaches, loss of appetite is inherent. Then there is an increase in body temperature, which can be both insignificant and quite high.

In most cases, there is a fever with a temperature of 38 ° C.

The duration of the body's temperature reaction depends on the type of causative agent of acute bronchitis. If it was caused by a parainfluenza virus or respiratory syncytial, then the duration of the fever will not exceed 3 days. But if the cause was mycoplasma or adenovirus, then the temperature increase will persist for 10 days or more.

The initial stage of the disease is characterized by the presence of a painful dry (sometimes "barking") cough. Auscultation (listening) of the child reveals coarse dry and wet coarse and medium bubbling rales. A week later, a dry cough is replaced by a productive (wet), accompanied by active sputum discharge. If this change occurs within a week, then this characterizes a mild form of acute bronchitis.

How are children treated?

If the correct treatment of the child is chosen, then acute bronchitis can be eliminated in 2 weeks. But at the same time, children under the age of two years may have a residual cough for some time.

Basic treatment of acute bronchitis for children from three years of age includes:

plentiful warm drink (tea, milk, water, compote and other liquid familiar to the child);
properly organized food with an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits. Excluded heavy fatty and fried foods;
maintaining the required level of humidity in the room (at least 60%). This prevents the mucous membranes of the respiratory system from drying out;
regular ventilation of the room where the sick child is located;
taking antipyretic drugs at temperatures above 38 ° C;

antibiotic therapy if a bacterial infection is detected;
taking antitussive and expectorant drugs;
inhalation.

If bronchitis torments an infant, it is recommended to periodically turn it from one side to the other. This simple action stimulates the cough reflex, which is necessary for the normal discharge and thinning of sputum.

Cupping, mustard plasters and foot baths can be used as an additional treatment for children over the age of two. It is also useful to lubricate the baby's chest with ointments with a warming effect. However, all these procedures can be carried out only in the absence of elevated body temperature.

Symptoms of a relapsing type of disease

Recurrent bronchitis is characterized by periodic exacerbations (3-4 times a year), which torment the child for one and a half to two years. The disease is more common in children under 6-7 years of age. The symptoms of the disease are similar to the acute form of bronchitis, but appear periodically, during the period of exacerbation, which can last up to 30 days.

In the first days of exacerbation, the child's body temperature rises to 37-38 ° C. The fever does not last long, but a slight increase in temperature may persist for several weeks. Headaches, nasal congestion, general weakness and apathy also appear. After about 5 days, coughing fits begin. At first, it is dry, "tearing", but after 3-4 days it becomes wet with the release of mucus, which may contain pus.

Recurrent bronchitis is characterized by scattered coarse and medium bubbling or dry rales. But if the disease is localized in the large bronchi, then wheezing may be completely absent. However, it is likely to listen to hard breathing in the basal areas of the bronchi.

After an exacerbation, the disease practically does not manifest itself. Only with vigorous physical activity, stress, or with a sharp change in air temperature, a mild cough may occur.

How to treat?

During the period of exacerbation of recurrent bronchitis, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, but under the constant supervision of the attending pediatrician.

The set of measures to eliminate the disease includes:

bed rest at the optimum temperature and humidity of the room (t ° - 18-22 ° C, humidity - 60-70%);
after the decline in elevated body temperature, regular walks in the fresh air are required;
good nutrition with an abundance of foods rich in vitamins;
taking expectorant drugs (for example, Pertussin, marshmallow root syrup);
inhalations with soda-salt and alkaline water, infusion of sage or chamomile;
with the threat of the development of complications of the disease, antibiotic therapy is prescribed;
the use of mustard plasters, cans, pepper plaster, warming ointments.

During the period of remission, the child should be regularly shown to the pediatrician and pulmonologist. For effective treatment of recurrent bronchitis, you should:

observe the daily routine;
do morning exercises and go to exercise therapy classes;
take long walks on a fresh holiday with active games;
sign up for swimming, a tourist club or go skiing;

once a year to visit special recreational boarding houses for children with diseases of the respiratory system.

With the wrong approach or neglect of treatment, recurrent bronchitis in a child can transform into a chronic stage or bronchial asthma.

Symptoms of the chronic form in children

Chronic bronchitis can be diagnosed in a child older than three years, since its characteristic difference is the appearance of exacerbations three times a year for 2 or more years. The disease is dangerous for children, because it causes irreversible negative changes in the walls of the bronchial tree.

If you find the first symptoms of the chronic stage of bronchitis, you should seek help from a qualified doctor.

Chronic bronchitis may be the result of regular acute respiratory infections or constant exposure to irritants (eg, cigarette smoke, highly polluted air) on the child.

The main symptoms of the chronic stage:

coughing fits that torment the child constantly. During remission, it is often dry, but with an exacerbation it gradually becomes wet. At the same time, a large amount of purulent-mucous sputum is expectorated;

well-audible wheezing, but with auscultation it is impossible to determine their clear localization. During an exacerbation, wheezing becomes more intense and can persist for 90 or more days;
shortness of breath, indicating a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi;
fever that occurs in the first days of exacerbation. However, during periods of remission, the temperature can rise only to subfebrile indicators;
constant sweating of the child, cyanosis of the skin on the nasolabial triangle;
general weakness, regular headaches, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance.

How to treat a child?

Treatment of the chronic stage is aimed primarily at eliminating the focus of inflammation and the resulting obstruction. For this are used:

antibacterial therapy, which is selected taking into account the sensitivity to certain medications of the pathogenic flora detected in the sputum;
expectorants and mucolytics;
inhalation;
taking vitamins B, C, nicotinic acid.

Symptoms of allergic bronchitis

Allergic bronchitis manifests itself in a child upon contact with an irritant, which can be both endo- and exogenous factors (for example, a certain food product or plant pollen).

Symptoms of the disease are clearly manifested during proximity with the allergen and include:

slight increase in body temperature;
dry cough with clear sputum. Attacks often torment the child during a night's sleep;
shortness of breath, and in some cases, asthma attacks that occur during the active physical activity of the child, in stressful situations, during a cry;
well auscultated moist medium bubbling rales. With exacerbation, wheezing is heard at a distance;
tearing, clear and copious discharge from the nose.

How to treat?

To save the child from the disease, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of the allergic reaction. To alleviate the condition with allergic bronchitis, children are prescribed antihistamines (preferably the third generation), expectorants and anti-inflammatory drugs.

To increase the resistance of the child's body with this form of bronchitis, it is useful:

hardening;
sunbathing;
therapeutic breathing exercises;
halotherapy (treatment with a climate with a high salt content);
hypoxic therapy (treatment with mountain air with a low oxygen content).

Symptoms of the obstructive form

Obstructive bronchitis is a serious disease in which there is a significant narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi or their blockage with accumulations of sputum. In the absence of timely treatment, the child may experience asthma attacks, threatening the development of hypoxia.

Obstructive bronchitis is most often found in children 3-4 years old, but can also appear in infants or schoolchildren.

You can suspect the disease by symptoms such as:

the appearance of noisy breathing, accompanied by whistling sounds. Pathological sounds are well audible even at a distance (the so-called remote wheezing);
shortness of breath of an expiratory or mixed type, which occurs both after vigorous activity and in a calm state;
the presence of a dry paroxysmal cough with a tendency to increase at night. At the same time, a small amount of sputum is released;
during auscultation, large and medium bubbling or dry "whistling" rales are heard;
tachypnea, in which the chest is swollen, and the muscles of the abdomen are involved in breathing;
body temperature rises slightly or remains within normal limits;
the presence of leukocytosis, leukopenia and accelerated ESR in the blood test;

How to treat?

If obstructive bronchitis is detected in an infant, then treatment should be carried out exclusively in a hospital. Children over the age of three years can be treated at home, but only in the absence of suspicion of pneumonia, severe intoxication of the body and acute respiratory failure.

The complex of measures for the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children, among other things, includes taking drugs:

bronchodilators;
antitussives;
anti-inflammatory;
antihistamines;
antibacterial;
antispasmodic.

A special therapeutic drainage and postural massage has a positive effect. Their parents may well perform on their own at home. For preschool children, such procedures will help to quickly get rid of cough and sputum accumulated in the bronchi. For school-age children, massages are recommended to be combined with breathing exercises.

Symptoms of bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is an inflammatory process affecting the smallest bronchi and bronchioles. The disease mainly occurs in children aged 3 to 5 years and can cause acute respiratory failure. Bronchiolitis is dangerous for a fragile organism, therefore, if its signs are found, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.

Sholokhova Olga Nikolaevna

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Signs and treatment of acute bronchitis in young children

Children often suffer from respiratory diseases. This is due to the anatomical structure of their respiratory system and weak immunity. Any disease at a young age is difficult, since the risk of complications is high.

Most often, pediatricians receive complaints related to the presence of acute symptoms. In the first years of life with such a diagnosis, quite a lot of children end up in the hospital, the most common cause of the disease at this age is the spread of infection in the child's body.

What is meant by the diagnosis of acute bronchitis?

This is a pathological process in the bronchi, which is accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane and their walls. Up to three years, this disease develops quite quickly - within a day. Frequent occurrence is also associated with the time of year. In autumn and winter, the disease occurs more often.

As a result of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi, their structure changes: the mucous membrane swells, the bronchial secretion becomes many times larger, which makes it difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. Children are not able to cope with such a situation, especially at a young age, so they need urgent medical help.

Etiology of childhood acute bronchitis

To treat the disease, it is necessary to find out its causes. Common causes are various viruses and bacteria. There is a certain classification of the attack of viruses on the body of children, depending on the age of the kids.

Diagnosis confirms that bronchitis up to 3 years is accompanied by the addition of bacteria. For this reason, babies, along with antiviral drugs, also take antibacterial ones.

But not always acute bronchitis in children is caused by viruses. There are also pathogens that lead to inflammation of the bronchial mucosa:

Anatomy of the development of bronchitis in children

Until the age of 6, children are prone to frequent bronchitis. The reason for its appearance is the immaturity of the anatomical structures of the respiratory system. The main factors due to which the disease develops are:

If the child's immunity is reduced, viruses and bacteria affect the epithelium of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and nasopharynx. The ciliated epithelium cannot resist, so pathogenic microorganisms penetrate further. The bronchial glands actively begin to react and secrete a secret, a lot of thick and viscous mucus appears, which is difficult to remove from the body naturally. For this reason, the main drugs are drugs that help reduce the intensity of the main symptom of bronchitis - cough, and also help to eliminate sputum.

Manifestations of acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis in children actively begins to develop in the first day. In the period of 1-4 days, the symptoms are most intense, then, with appropriate treatment, their intensity begins to subside. The main symptoms of the disease in children are:

It is necessary to distinguish between the course of acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis and obstructive bronchitis in order to help the baby in time. Among the most common symptoms of respiratory diseases, there are also specific signs of these diseases.

Manifestations of bronchiolitis

This disease often occurs in children under 1-2 years of age, since the inflammatory process quickly passes into the lower structures of the respiratory organs. Bronchiolitis is manifested by such symptoms:

A sharp increase in body temperature.
The child feels very bad, his condition is assessed as serious. The baby cannot fully inhale, breathing becomes frequent.
The rales are finely bubbling, as they are heard from the bronchi of small caliber.
Emphysema develops.

With such symptoms, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

Signs of obstruction in bronchitis

Often this type of bronchitis occurs in children in the second and third year of life. With the development of this pathology, the symptoms of acute bronchitis are accompanied by additional signs:

A common cause of this type of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa is an allergic reaction to an allergen. But obstruction can also occur due to exposure to the child's body infection. To properly treat the baby, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis.

Examination of a small patient

The doctor examines the baby, listens, taps the chest. A survey of parents is conducted, which allows you to determine the cause of the disease. Auscultation and percussion characterize the manifestation of cough and the severity of the disease. Also, to reliably determine the cause of the disease, it is necessary to pass tests:

Treatment of pathology in children

It is important to make the correct diagnosis to the child in time. Only a specialist can determine the form and type of the disease. In children under one year old, the cough reflex is absent, for this reason they are not given expectorant drugs. In case of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa in such children, they are shown only inpatient treatment.

At this age, no treatment is complete without the use of antibiotics. Due to the immaturity of the structures of the respiratory system, bacteria quickly join the viral disease, which can only be cured with the help of antibacterial agents. It is necessary to use up to a year means that help relieve swelling of the bronchi, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to quickly remove sputum from the respiratory tract. Additionally, you can use folk remedies, but only with the permission of a doctor. The danger of their independent use is that you can cause bronchial obstruction.

For older children, the usual algorithm of actions during illness is used. Treatment of acute bronchitis is complex, aimed at reducing the intensity of symptoms and removing the inflammatory process, as well as the action of drugs is aimed at destroying the causative agent of the disease.

Daily routine and nutrition

Bed rest is recommended for the child. This is necessary for proper rest and recovery of the body. If the baby does not want to lie down, he can move around the room, play, as his activity decreases. Bed rest is necessary for hyperthermia, after the temperature drops, you can get up and play.

Food on sick days should be light. It is necessary to give foods that are quickly absorbed by the body so that it does not waste its strength on digestion. It is better to switch to plant foods rich in vitamins, cereals. Meat must be limited, do not saturate the body with fats.

Be sure to drink plenty of water. This is necessary to thin the sputum, remove toxins through the organs of the excretory system. For drinking, you can prepare compotes, vitamin teas, juices, sometimes you can just give water.

The room where the child is located should be constantly ventilated, it is better to do wet cleaning every day.

Medications

For the treatment of acute bronchitis in children, the following groups of drugs are used:

Bronchitis is a pathological inflammatory process that develops in the wall of the bronchus under the action of provoking factors - viral or bacterial agents. Due to the total action of provoking factors and the emergence of favorable conditions for the further growth, reproduction and spread of microbes in the bronchial tree, bronchitis appears.

The main symptoms of the disease are the presence of intoxication of the child's body (fever, headache, nausea, lack of appetite, weakness, lethargy, apathy, drowsiness), the appearance of a dry cough, unproductive or wet with sputum and shortness of breath.

Favorable conditions for the development of the inflammatory process in the bronchi are:

hypothermia of the body;
malnutrition;
lack of vitamins (hypovitaminosis, beriberi);
decreased immunity;
frequent acute inflammatory diseases in other organs of the child;
exacerbation of chronic processes.

Treatment of bronchitis is reduced to the appointment of several groups of drugs, which are selected based on the action of the provoking factor (virus or bacterium) and the presence of relevant symptoms (fever, dry or wet cough and shortness of breath). Conservative treatment in conditions of improved well-being should be supplemented by physiotherapy, courses of which are carried out for another 1-2 weeks after the cessation of the main symptoms.

Also, to alleviate the condition of the child, alternative treatment is prescribed with the use of decoctions and infusions of herbs, applications on the chest area and rubbing using badger, goose or pork fat.

Conservative therapy

It is worth treating bronchitis with drugs on the first day of the onset of the disease. The choice of drugs depends on the manifestations of the disease themselves.

In the presence of high body temperature (up to 40 0 C), severe symptoms of intoxication and meager manifestations of damage to the bronchial tree - a slight dry or unproductive cough with clear or whitish sputum discharge, antiviral drugs are prescribed, since presumably, according to the child's symptoms, this bronchitis was provoked viral infection.

The most effective antiviral drug in children with bronchitis is human recombinant interferon - Laferobion, which has an immunostimulating and immunomodulatory effect by stimulating an increase in the level of immunocompetent cells (mast cells, leukocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, basophils, antibodies) in the blood. It is prescribed for children up to a year at 150,000 IU 3 times a day in the form of rectal suppositories, for children from 1-2 years old, 500,000 IU 3-4 times a day. It is best to treat with this drug for 3 to 5 days.

If there is a slight body temperature, a relatively good and active condition of the child, along with severe symptoms of bronchial tree damage, which are characterized by an intense cough with yellow or greenish viscous sputum with an unpleasant odor and shortness of breath, they indicate the presence of bronchitis of a bacterial nature and in this case antibiotics are prescribed wide spectrum of activity.

Azithromycin (Sumamed) is the drug of choice for bacterial bronchitis, as it is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and additionally affects protozoal and intracellular infection. The drug is available in tablets and syrup, which allows it to be prescribed even to infants. It is necessary to take the medicine 1 time per day. Treat with the drug for no more than 3 days.

Bronchitis in a child is often accompanied by severe manifestations of intoxication, which can be stopped and help to improve well-being such drugs as:

Ibuprofen (Nurofen), which has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is prescribed for children under 2 years old in rectal suppositories, 1 suppository 2 times a day, for children from birth and up to 12 years old in syrup:

For children over 12 years of age, chewable tablets or capsules. It is allowed to treat with this drug for no more than 7 days.

Children's paracetamol (Panadol) has an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect, improves the well-being of a child with bronchitis. It is prescribed in drops, rectal suppositories and syrup for children under 12 years old, over 12 years old in capsules. This remedy must be taken 3-6 times a day. You can treat the drug for no more than a week.

Citrulline malate (Stimol) is a general tonic that has detoxifying activity and normalizes metabolic processes in the child's body. It is prescribed 1 sachet, which must first be dissolved in ½ cup of boiled water, taken 2 times a day for 10 days.

In order to relieve cough and improve sputum discharge, mucolytic drugs are prescribed.

Mucolytic drugs are prescribed when a child has a dry or wet cough. Cough is a reflex to foreign bodies (dust, pollen, food, water) entering the bronchi or excessive accumulation of mucus (sputum) in them. The drugs eliminate cough by acting on the cough center in the brain, as well as by thinning sputum and stimulating the motor activity of cilia on the surface of the bronchial epithelium, which additionally helps to clear the lumen. The cough first becomes unproductive, then productive, and after 5-7 days of taking the drugs completely disappears.

Ambroxol (Ambrobene, Flavamed, Lazolvan) in drops and syrup are prescribed from 1 year old, in tablets from 12 years old 3 times a day. Treat for at least 10 days. There is also a children's Lazolvan, adapted only for inhalation using a nebulizer. It can be used by children from birth.

Acetylcysteine (ACC) is used to thin sputum in children over 4 years of age who have a cough. The drug is available in tablets and sticks with a dosed powder, which must be dissolved in ½ cup of boiled water. Acetylcysteine 200 mg is taken 4 times a day, 400 mg - 2 times a day and 800 mg - 1 time per day for 10 days. One of the pronounced and common side effects of this drug are stomach pain and heartburn, since the drug contains acid in its composition.

If a child develops choking (shortness of breath at rest) or shortness of breath, which is associated with minor and moderate physical exertion, bronchodilator drugs are prescribed.

Salbutamol - has a relaxing effect, which is directed to the smooth muscles of the bronchi. It is used in children from one year old in the form of aerosols, in children under one year old in the form of nebulizer inhalations only on demand, that is, at the time of suffocation. The medicinal effect of the drug lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and begins its action immediately after the erosol has hit the walls of the bronchial tree.

Plentiful drinking helps to reduce the manifestations of intoxication. For children, it can be teas, warmed fruit drinks, milk, compotes and herbal decoctions. Some herbs, along with detoxifying activity, help eliminate the cough reflex and improve sputum production.

St. John's wort, succession, chamomile, sage and plantain are taken in equal proportions. Herbs are ground with a coffee grinder or blender to a powder. 2 tablespoons of herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. Children should be given this remedy warm 1/3 cup 3 times a day. One dose of tea leaves is enough for a day. You can treat with these herbs for 1 - 2 weeks. Cough in children on average goes away after 4 to 5 days.

Licorice root, marshmallow root, cranberries, viburnum and wild rose are crushed in a meat grinder. 4 tablespoons of the resulting mixture is poured with a liter of boiled water and brought to a boil over a fire. The broth is allowed to boil over low heat for 15 minutes and then covered with a lid and allowed to brew. It is recommended to take this remedy 2 times a day for ½ cup. For a child, add 1 tablespoon of honey to the decoction before drinking. Honey is used to improve taste and is a natural antioxidant, the purpose of which is to strengthen the protective properties of the body (immunity) of the child. Cough becomes much less after 3 to 5 days of taking the decoction.

Milk, especially cow's milk, is used in children when a severe, debilitating cough occurs. Milk can calm the cough reflex, which in patients with bronchitis is exacerbated in the evening and at night, making it difficult to rest and disturb sleep. Milk also contains a large amount of protein, fats and vitamins that nourish the child in conditions of poor appetite during intoxication and thereby strengthen the body and help fight pathological microbes.

Boiled cow's milk is well heated, but not brought to a boil, ½ teaspoon of baking soda and the same amount of butter are added to 1 glass of milk. To improve the taste of the resulting mixture, use honey, 1 teaspoon per 1 cup. In the absence of cow's milk, goat's milk can be substituted.

Give this remedy to a child with bronchitis should be at night, already in bed. It is necessary to drink in small sips for 5 to 10 minutes. After taking the remedy inside, the cough completely calms down after 5 minutes.

One of the methods of alternative treatment is rubbing the chest. Rubbing stimulates blood flow in the lung tissue and, as a result, cleanses the bronchial tree from microbial agents, which significantly speeds up the healing process of children. Rubbing also has a warming effect, which gives them the opportunity, albeit for a short time, to save children from coughing.

The most effective among rubbing in children with bronchitis is such a remedy as badger fat.

Badger fat is a subcutaneous fat that is rich in organic and inorganic amino acids, unsaturated fats and vitamins.

Badger fat has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulatory effects.

The versatility of this tool lies in the fact that it can be used both externally and taken internally.

Outwardly, badger fat is used in children who are tormented by a dry or unproductive cough with a warming function. Badger fat also stimulates blood circulation in the lung tissue and eliminates congestion in the bronchi of medium and small caliber.

Badger fat for external use is applied at night, on the skin of the chest and back with light massaging movements in a thin layer and rubbed into the skin until a film forms on it. After that, the body of the child is wrapped in a blanket.

Inside, badger fat is used to increase immunity, which is also important for children with bronchitis.

The remedy should be given 1 dessert spoon (10 ml) 2 times a day. Badger fat is best taken with food, as the predominance of the substances contained in it are fat-soluble, and the therapeutic effect is thus more pronounced.

Badger fat can be used externally in children over 1 year of age and internally over 6 years of age. Badger fat, according to the observations of doctors, did not give pronounced side effects when taken orally or externally.

Applications on the chest

Applications or lozenges on the chest and back are used to calm coughs and improve blood circulation in the bronchi of children.

A cake with honey is used for children over 1 year old. Honey, sunflower oil and flour are mixed in equal quantities. The mixture is applied to the skin of the chest and back, then wrapped in polyethylene or tracing paper, covered with a terry towel on top.

Mustard tortilla is used for children over 6 years old. Mustard powder is mixed with warm boiled potatoes and laid out on the skin of the back, covered with tracing paper and a terry towel.

Applications are performed at night. The child is treated like this for no more than 3-4 days.

Physiotherapy

inhalations with aromatic oils;
chest massage;
electrophoresis - the introduction through the skin of the chest using an electric current
medicines;
heating with the use of low-frequency electric currents and magnetic fields.

Video: Bronchitis, bronchitis in children, acute bronchitis in children

Should be a concern for parents. It may indicate the onset of such a respiratory disease as acute bronchitis, in which the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process.

The development of acute bronchitis can occur due to the influence of various factors (infectious, allergic, chemical and physical). Bronchitis is more common in children under 3 years of age and in preschoolers (4-6 years of age). Also, infants can suffer from the disease.

In the medical literature, acute bronchitis is classified into the following forms:

Simple. The course of this form of the disease is the easiest, and there are no symptoms of bronchial obstruction.
Obstructive. This form of the disease is characterized by obstruction and wheezing.
. Small bubbling rales and obstruction are the main symptoms of this form of acute bronchitis.

The peak incidence of bronchitis occurs in autumn and spring, which is associated with hypothermia, temperature fluctuations and high humidity.

The disease itself, if no complications appear, is not particularly dangerous for the baby, because it does not violate the organic integrity of the bronchi, and getting rid of symptoms occurs after a maximum of 2 weeks. Parents should also know that acute bronchitis in a child can manifest itself as a result of measles and whooping cough.

There are several factors that provoke the development of the disease. And first of all, they are associated with the specific structure of the respiratory system of children:

Children's respiratory tract is narrow, which provokes swelling of the bronchial walls.
Children have hyperplasia. ⇒
Immunoglobulin A, which resists the penetration of infections, is contained in mucosal cells in small volumes.
Weakness of the respiratory muscles and small lung capacity.
Frequent tonsillitis.

IMPORTANT! In infants, bronchial obstruction and bronchospasm develop very quickly. Consequently, the baby is critically lacking oxygen in the blood.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis in children

Each form of the disease in question in a child has its own characteristics, however, the disease begins with the manifestation of cold symptoms, and only then the main symptoms of the disease itself join.

Symptoms of a simple form of acute bronchitis:

An infant develops a strong cough, the body can rise sharply to 40 ° C. When breathing, wheezing is heard.
Elevated body temperature can last 3-4 days, or maybe more: it all depends on the type of infection.
Initially, there is a dry and exhausting cough, which eventually becomes wet.
During a medical examination of the child, catarrhal phenomena are visible. ⇒
Coarse rales are heard in the air tubes of medium and large size, which is associated with violations of their ventilation.

In the acute type of the disease, the symptoms of bronchial obstruction are clearly visible. Moreover, this form of the disease is inherent in children of the 2nd and 3rd year of life.

Symptoms of acute obstructive bronchitis

The main symptoms of acute include:

noise and whistling when breathing;
prolonged exhalation;
refusal to eat;
anxiety and fear;
expiratory dyspnea (difficulty exhaling);
rapid breathing.

IMPORTANT! Acute obstructive bronchitis occurs with subfebrile temperature (up to 38), and sputum may contain a small amount of pus.

Unlike other forms of the disease, bronchiolitis develops in infants and has the following distinctive symptoms:

in the absence of treatment, rapidly increasing symptoms of respiratory failure;
hyperthermia (high body temperature - above 38);
exhausting cough with a large amount of sputum, sometimes with an admixture of blood;
dyspnea;
rales are heard from the bronchi of small size;
bronchial spasm, characterized by a wheezing dry wheezing.

The difference between the symptoms of acute bronchitis in children regarding its forms

Clinical symptoms	Simple	obstructive	bronchiolitis
Are common	cough, runny nose, sneezing; anxiety; weakness; deterioration in the general well-being of the child; increased sweating.
Cough	dry, stubborn, turning into wet after 1-2 days, with an increase in the volume of sputum; lasts up to 2 weeks or more, which is associated with the type of infection.	dry, straining, paroxysmal, with viscous sputum and low productivity; during therapy, it gradually becomes frequent and wet, which indicates an improvement in the condition of the bronchi and removal of obstruction.	dry, painful, with pain in the chest and rapid increase in dyspnea; gradual release of thick viscous sputum in small volumes; a long stage of transition to a productive cough with sputum discharge.
Temperature	from normal to subfebrile (up to 38); the duration is associated with the pathogen: with parainfluenza, acute respiratory syncytial viral infection, the temperature lasts about 3 days, with adenovirus and fungal infection - up to 7-10 days and longer.		high temperature for 2 to 3 days; the duration of subfebrile temperature is associated with the pathogen.
x-ray	pronounced pulmonary pattern	there is a symptom of "cotton lung" (severity of the lung pattern, merging of unilateral focal shadows with blurry contours), swelling of the chest.	with intense blockage of the bronchioles, a collapse of the lung tissue (atelectasis) is observed, acute emphysema of the lungs is detected - a pathological expansion of the bronchioles, a pronounced swelling of the chest.
Wheezing, obstruction	rough common dry (and wet) large bubbling rales that change depth, tone and localization when coughing; obstruction is not expressed.	an increase in obstruction often on the first day of acute respiratory viral infections - lengthening of exhalations is characteristic, wheezing is multiple, dry, scattered, finely bubbling, often asymmetric, whistling, audible at a distance; development of crepitus (small crackling sounds in the lungs).	fine bubbling diffuse rales on inspiration (dry and wet) and prolonged exhalation, wet large bubbling rales can be heard with a change in their number after a change in body position or coughing.
Respiratory disorders	not expressed	frequent shortness of breath (40 per minute - in infants, 25 - in babies over 1 year old)	an increase in acute infectious inflammation in the bronchioles - increased respiration, expansion of the wings of the nose during inhalation
hypoxia	no or mild	symptoms of hypoxia increase, excess carbon dioxide in the tissues and cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes; the patient's muscles get tired, causing apnea, participation in the process of breathing of auxiliary muscles, retraction of the tummy and intercostal areas when inhaling.	aggravation of respiratory failure: cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, severe shortness of breath, swelling of the chest, difficulty in breathing with the addition of additional muscles, retraction of the intercostal spaces, areas near the collarbones; as a result, suckling is significantly more difficult for infants when breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

Basic principles for the treatment of acute bronchitis in children

When treating a disease in a child, a strict bed rest is prescribed - this helps to eliminate hyperthermia and speedy recovery. For babies, the number of feedings is increased by 1-2. In other cases, the daily volume of food should be 50-60% of the normal volume.

At the same time, food should be high-calorie, balanced with vitamins and microelements, but at the same time hypoallergenic. The daily volume of drinking should be increased by 1.5 times. The correct mode will quickly put the child on his feet, regardless of his age.

If we are talking about bronchitis of viral origin, then the child begins to be treated with antiviral drugs. often do not bring any results of treatment and are not suitable for children, so you need to see a doctor in a timely manner, especially when it comes to a baby.

Bronchitis can occur in various forms and degrees of severity. After its chronic form, it may develop. Do not ignore a child's long-term cough: it can cause dangerous diseases. It is better to hurry to see a doctor, because the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the sooner the baby will become healthy.

Acute bronchitis in a child is a fairly common and dangerous disease. Although inflammation of the bronchi is mild and responds well to treatment, pathology causes serious complications. The disease should be treated immediately but do it wisely.

But a dry hacking cough can be alleviated with the help of freshly squeezed lingonberry juice and the addition of sugar or melted natural honey to it.

In acute bronchitis, it is useful for children to drink infusions or decoctions of healing herbs. This is lime blossom, leaves of viburnum, coltsfoot, black currant. When making, brew a tablespoon of dry raw materials in a glass of boiling water.

If the child's temperature does not exceed the norm, it is useful to carry out the following procedures:

Oil chest wraps(except for the heart area).
Compress treatment. It is better to use boiled potatoes with the addition of 2-3 drops of iodine and vegetable oil. You can use any vegetable oil. It is heated, impregnated with cotton fabric and applied to the body. From above the compress is fixed with waxed paper.
Putting the baby to bed with two heating pads on the chest and back. Do not forget to change the water in them in a timely manner, do not allow the heating pads to cool.
Soar your feet every evening(you can use mustard powder) and put mustard plasters (but not homemade ones). Provided that the child has reached the age of 3 years.

Acute bronchitis is dangerous for its complications. In order to prevent the development of dangerous situations, preventive measures must also be taken during treatment.

Prevention of acute bronchitis in children

If the disease has visited the child at least once, the probability of its recurrence is high. To prevent a dangerous situation from returning, arm yourself with the following tips:

Stick to a smart daily routine.
Take daily walks, but in good weather.
Get your child vaccinated early in anticipation of an impending flu epidemic.
Balance the children's diet by including a lot of fruits and vegetables in the menu.
Introduce your baby to the basics of hardening, pave the way to the pool or sports sections.
Spare your child the sight of smoking parents. Passive smoking is a common cause of acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis in children under one year old - how are babies treated?

In an infant, acute bronchitis becomes the result of an incompletely cured acute respiratory disease or influenza. How to treat pathology in infancy? After all, the immunity of the baby is still weak, and most medications are contraindicated. The first thing parents should do is contact a pediatrician and carefully follow all his recommendations.

Often used to treat disease in infants massage is used as an additional therapy. Parents can do it, but subject to the rules:

Before the session, the baby should be given the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
Give the child a warm drink. This will increase the effectiveness of the procedure and contribute to the removal of sputum.
The best time for a massage is afternoon or morning. If you massage the baby in the evening, at night he will cough and have a bad rest.
To prevent overload of the gastrointestinal tract, conduct sessions 2 before a meal or an hour after.
The duration of the procedure should not exceed half an hour. It is better to massage 2-3 times a week.

First, warm up the baby's body with baby oil and start stroking the chest. Movements should be soft with a gradual increase. After the chest, move on to the upper back. After stroking, proceed to intense rubbing.

Important! When massaging, the area of the heart, hypochondrium and kidneys should be avoided. Movements should be smooth and not hurt the baby.

In addition to medicines and home massage, drinking plenty of fluids is important in the treatment of acute bronchitis in infants. Let your baby drink warm water, baby teas or juices more often. Keep an eye on good humidity in the house. This is also advised by the well-known pediatrician Komarovsky.

Tips for the treatment of acute bronchitis in children from Dr. Komarovsky

The main advice given by Dr. Komarovsky in the treatment of acute bronchitis in children - it is impossible to cause the mucus formed by the bronchi to dry up. To do this, maintain the correct microclimate in the nursery: air humidity in the range of 50-60% at a temperature of + 18-22⁰ C.

Advice! This can be achieved by regular good ventilation, the use of air humidifiers, or simply by hanging wet sheets on radiators.

If the doctor suggests connecting antibiotics to treatment, ask about the advisability of using aggressive agents. According to Komarovsky, in 99% of cases, acute bronchitis is the result of a viral infection, and only 1% of the disease really requires antibiotics.

Therapy of acute bronchitis in children should include traditional methods: plenty of warm drink, taking antipyretics at a temperature and bed rest. But as soon as the child's condition returns to normal, get him out of bed and go for daily walks.

If the inflammation recurs, think about what causes recurrence of the disease. Whether the parents smoke, whether the child has allergies, what kind of air is in your area. With long-term residence in areas with unfavorable ecology, it develops.

The most important thing is to prevent the recurrence of the disease (very dangerous) and not to engage in self-treatment. After all, a successful recovery depends on timely therapy, which can only be prescribed by an experienced pediatrician.

Useful video

From the video below you will learn a few more tips for the treatment of acute bronchitis from Dr. Komarovsky: