Unfortunately, parents, bronchitis in preschool and school children is a fairly common ailment. Cases of bronchitis are recorded annually, but the autumn-winter is the most "prolific" in this regard. The etiology of this inflammatory disease of bronchial mucosa is both infectious, and toxic, and allergic in nature, and the incubation period is very short.
Types of acute bronchitis
Species characteristic of this disease, occurring in acute form, there are three: acute and obstructive bronchitis , as well as acute bronchiolitis . But children often diagnose a simple acute bronchitis, which is characterized not only by the presence of inflammation in the bronchi, but also by a pathological increase in their secretion. When acute cramps attach to these signs of acute bronchitis, the diagnosis will confirm obstructive form. Acute obstructive bronchitis in children most often develops at two to three years of age. As for bronchiolitis, this type of disease is characterized not only by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, bronchi, but also by the presence of wheezing and breathing disorders.
Why do children suffer from this disease? The causes of acute bronchitis in children are as follows:
- viral and bacterial infections;
- allergic reactions;
- chemical and physical impact from the outside.
Viruses are the main and most common cause. Acute bronchitis often appears in the form of complications of influenza, ARVI or ARI. Getting into the body of the baby, the virus leads to inflammation of the mucosa. A similar effect is observed as a result of infection with pathogenic microbes - mycoplasmas and chlamydia. They fall into an unprotected body with dirty food, hands, children's toys.
Symptoms and Treatment
Since the symptoms of acute bronchitis in children are similar to those of other respiratory viral diseases, it is not easy to recognize the disease at an early stage. The likelihood that bronchitis has joined ARVI is very high if:
- the child has a fever;
- he coughs;
- there are signs of shortness of breath;
- rales are noted.
Note that the infants acute bronchitis in most cases is accompanied by a significant increase in temperature (up to 40 degrees!). At the same time it is difficult to get lost and lasts from two to three to ten days.
Noticing the obvious signs of acute bronchitis, the treatment of ailment in children should begin without delay. A simple bronchitis in a case where the treatment is absent or inadequate can, in a short time, develop into an obstructive one. The most unfavorable variant of the situation is bronchial asthma. And it will take much longer to treat it. In addition, seizures that occur suddenly are a threat not only to the health of the child, but also to his life.
People's "grandmother's" methods will not be manageable. Doctors usually prescribe to patients with bronchitis antipyretic drugs, antibacterial agents. In addition, for liquefaction and withdrawal of accumulated mucus should take antitussive and expectorant drugs (the choice depends on the type of cough). Nasal congestion is eliminated by vasoconstrictive drops. Recommended for
If the treatment is competent and comprehensive, it will take no more than three weeks to overcome the disease. Treatment, which does not have an effect for a month or more, should be reviewed and adjusted, as the likelihood of negative consequences for the baby's health is high.