Methods of treatment of acute bronchitis in children
Acute bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial mucosa that has an infectious, allergic or toxic etiology that develops within a short period of time.
In children, this ailment is very diverse and is one of the most common respiratory diseases. Among the forms of acute bronchitis, most common in children, distinguish:
- acute( simple);
- acute obstructive;
- acute bronchiolitis.
Acute simple bronchitis is an inflammatory lesion of the bronchi with an increase in bronchial secretion, but without clinical signs.
Acute obstructive bronchitis in children, in contrast to simple, is accompanied by bronchial obstruction, that is, a sharp spasm of small and medium-sized bronchial tubes. Most often, this type of disease occurs in children two to three years old.
Acute bronchiolitis is a type of obstructive bronchitis and often occurs in young children. This form is an acute inflammation of small caliber and bronchioles, accompanied by respiratory failure and an abundance of wheezing.
Below we will talk about the causes of acute bronchitis in children, its symptoms and how to cure ailment in a child.
Causes of
The main etiological factor of bronchitis in children is a viral infection( adenovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial and other viruses).That is why this disease often acts as a complication of such diseases as ARI, ARVI and influenza.
In addition, some bacteria( chlamydia, mycoplasmas) may become the cause of the disease. Bacterial infection, as a rule, gets into the respiratory tract along with foreign bodies. Many children, for example, talk while eating, so they can inhale small pieces of food.
In addition, most babies like to pull everything in their mouth, which also increases the risk of getting bacteria into the respiratory system.
Among other less common causes of the disease can be identified a negative impact on the baby's respiratory system of chemical or physical factors, as well as allergies.
Symptoms of the disease in children
As already noted, acute bronchitis often occurs against the background of another ailment. That is why it is very important to closely monitor the child who is ill, say, with the flu.
The development of bronchitis can occur both at the very beginning of the underlying disease and through 5 - 7 days after its onset. Among the important symptoms of the disease, especially cough and fever.
Cough is the main sign of the disease, indicating the damage to the bronchi. At the beginning of the disease, the cough is dry and obtrusive, and as a result, it gives the baby a lot of inconvenience. Over time, it becomes wet, the child begins to withdraw sputum.
The duration of the fever varies depending on the infection from 2 to 3( parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial infections) to 8 to 10 days( mycoplasmal and adenoviral infections).Acute bronchitis in infants can take place at a fairly high temperature. The temperature may not rise with mild disease.
In the case of bronchial obstruction, the course of the disease, in addition, is accompanied by shortness of breath, and also dry and wet rales.
Treatment of acute form in children
Treatment of bronchitis in children is complex. It includes:
- bed rest during a period of elevated temperature;
- Milk-Vegetable Vitaminized Diet;
- plentiful drink for liquefaction of sputum.
- From medicines for acute bronchitis apply:
- antipyretics( if the patient's temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees);
- antibacterial drugs:
- antitussives( with a dry cough);
- expectorants( with a damp cough);
- vasoconstrictive drugs for the normalization of nasal breathing;
- decoctions of herbs.
In addition, bronchitis is very effective inhalation based on baking soda or clove oil, hot oil wraps. To facilitate cough, warm milk with the addition of butter, baking soda and honey will help.
Often, treatment of this disease in children does not require the use of antibiotics.
Conclusion
The duration of the disease in children is usually 2 - 3 weeks. However, such a period can provide only correct and timely treatment.
Otherwise, the disease lasts longer( 3 to 4 weeks), and the risk of certain negative consequences increases.
Among the consequences of acute bronchitis the most severe is bronchial asthma. This disease is difficult to treat, and its sudden seizures can be very dangerous.