What should I do if my baby has bronchitis?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Bronchiolitis in babies is an inflammation, which may be caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, or mycoplasma. The primary treatment is anti-infection, for which antibiotics like oral cephalosporins or penicillin can be chosen for the treatment. Additionally, treatment includes expectorants and cough suppressants, where one or two types of traditional Chinese or Western medicine can be used orally. If the coughing is frequent, nebulized inhalation can be administered to achieve local anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and cough suppressant effects. While treating, it's important to observe the effects and administer intravenous infusions if necessary.

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How is bronchitis treated?

In clinical settings, bronchitis is treated in two main ways. The first approach includes general and symptomatic treatment. The second and most crucial approach is the use of sensitive antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens and provide anti-inflammatory treatment. Increased water intake and the use of antipyretic analgesic drugs for fever symptoms are recommended. It is necessary to identify whether the infection is bacterial, viral, or mycoplasmal, and to use sensitive antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens. Once the inflammation subsides, the symptoms caused by bronchitis will gradually diminish and fade away.

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Symptoms of bronchitis in children

Pediatric bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial mucosa caused by various pathogens. Clinical presentations commonly begin with symptoms of upper respiratory infection such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, or low-grade fever, followed by coughing as the main symptom. Initially, the cough is dry, later accompanied by phlegm. Symptoms can be more severe in infants and young children, often including fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, generally without systemic symptoms. Auscultation of the lungs reveals coarse breath sounds, with fixed and scattered dry rales, and medium to coarse moist rales. Infants and young children often have difficulty expelling phlegm, which may be audible in the throat and lungs as a rattling sound. If the infant or young child has wheezing bronchitis accompanied by eczema, or other allergic histories, they may develop pronounced symptoms of difficulty breathing, and may even progress to asthma.

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How to treat bronchitis in children?

For pediatric bronchitis, it is primarily important to determine the cause of the infection in the child and to treat the disease based on its cause. Choose corresponding sensitive antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs for treatment. If coughing and expectoration are severe, it may be necessary to use some antitussive and expectorant drugs. Moreover, if the child shows signs of wheezing or obvious suffocation, nebulized inhalation can be used for treatment to relieve symptoms. It is generally advisable to be cautious; if the baby shows signs of breathing difficulty, it is best to take the baby to the hospital for a chest X-ray. Typically, this will only reveal a coarse lung texture, but if the pathogen causing bronchitis in children is complex, then combined medication may be required for treatment.

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What to drink for bronchitis?

Patients with bronchitis can appropriately drink some plain boiled water, as it is the best beverage. It can promote the metabolism of the body and accelerate the circulation of the blood, effectively removing toxins and aiding in a quicker recovery from illness. Additionally, it is advisable to also drink some fruit and vegetable juices, which contain abundant vitamins. These vitamins can serve an antibacterial and germicidal role, greatly assisting in disease recovery. It is recommended that everyone ensures to rest adequately during illness, avoid excessive fatigue, maintain a relaxed mood, and not to be under too much stress. Patients suffering from bronchitis must ensure that their airways are clear to avoid coughing and expelling phlegm. Furthermore, one can also take cough and phlegm relieving medications under the guidance of a doctor to alleviate symptoms.

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Daily care for children's bronchitis

For children with bronchitis, it is essential to keep warm and avoid exposure to cold and wind, especially from cold air, which can reduce the local resistance of the bronchial mucosa and exacerbate the condition of bronchitis. It is also important to monitor the child's body temperature, maintaining it above 36.5 degrees Celsius, drink plenty of water, and promote metabolism to enhance the body's immunity. Additionally, attention should be paid to the diet, which should primarily consist of liquid or semi-liquid foods. It is also appropriate to drink some sugar water or light salt water. It is important to increase dietary nutrition by consuming light, fully nutritious, balanced, and easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods such as porridge, egg custard, soft noodles, fresh vegetables, and fruit juices. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain the child's respiratory passages clear, focus on expectoration, and ensure regular ventilation in the room to keep the air fresh and flowing, with appropriate temperature and humidity levels.