Usually, respiratory viral infections respond well to treatment and, with proper therapy, disappear without a trace after two to three weeks. What can not be said about bronchitis, which, with inept treatment, can last a month or two, flowing into an acute obstructive form. Moreover, the first bronchitis are practically indistinguishable from ordinary acute respiratory infections or SARS. The temperature rises slightly, a runny nose and an infrequent "dry" cough appear. It is he who should alert his mother. The discharge of sputum is difficult, and this is that it accumulates in the lungs, causing serious illnesses, including bronchitis. In the future, airways may occur, their swelling, which makes it difficult to breathe. The child coughs hoarsely, cannot stop, turns red. Symptoms worsen at night, as in a horizontal position Airways overlap even more.

Bronchitis is the most common disease pulmonary tract. Develops in the bronchi. Children are the most severe preschool age, the mucous membrane of which is most susceptible to inflammation.

How to treat bronchitis - first aid for a baby

At the first signs of the disease, be sure to consult a doctor. If the disease is not advanced, it can be managed without the help of antibiotics. Having examined, the doctor will prescribe. Most likely, these will be antipyretic drugs (if the temperature is above 38.5 ° C), syrups and tinctures containing mucilaging agents, as well as drugs containing fenspiride hydrochloride. They minimize the amount of phlegm by removing it from the lungs. They begin after the "dry" cough has turned into "", "productive", as doctors call it.

Sea air, saturated with iodine, has a great effect on the bronchi, creating natural immunity from diseases. So that the baby does not get sick during the period of infections, spend three to four weeks with him at sea every year.

What to do if the cough does not go away

If within one and a half to two weeks of treatment there is no improvement, cough, consult a doctor. Perhaps inflammation of the pulmonary tract has begun, which needs to be treated with antibiotics. Don't be afraid of these drugs. The new generation of products is much more harmless than the previous one. And side effects in the form of some lethargy or drowsiness are successfully covered by the speed of getting rid of the most neglected diseases.

Bronchitis is respiratory disease which can have dangerous complications. Parents have many questions about the treatment of this disease: in what cases are antibiotics used and whether it is possible to cure a child with the help of inhalations and warming procedures. The condition of the baby can deteriorate dramatically, it all depends on the form of the disease and age. Therefore, home treatment should always be agreed with the doctor. To speed up recovery, it is necessary to maintain optimal humidity and temperature in the room.

Content:

What is bronchitis. Types of disease

So called inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. The disease has an infectious and allergic nature. Often, the inflammatory process appears on the background of colds and flu. Most often infectious bronchitis children get sick in the cold season, when immune defense the body weakens.

The infection enters the child's body from the outside by inhaling contaminated air. It is also possible to activate one's own conditionally pathogenic microflora, which is facilitated by hypothermia of the body, a decrease in immunity.

Depending on the cause of occurrence, the following types of bronchitis are distinguished:

1. Bacterial. Its pathogens are bacteria such as streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and whooping cough, chlamydia, mycoplasma.
2. Viral. It occurs due to the penetration of influenza viruses into the bronchi, as well as adenoviruses.
3. Allergic. It occurs when the bronchi are irritated by chemicals, dust or pollen of plants, particles of animal hair.

Infectious species are contagious. When the patient sneezes or coughs, the infection spreads up to 10 meters around.

At breastfeeding the child has passive immunity, that is, with mother's milk, he receives protective antibodies to infections. Therefore, babies under the age of 1 year suffer from bronchitis only in cases where they have deviations in the development of the respiratory system, they were born prematurely, or the body is weakened by other diseases.

The development of infection in the bronchi occurs when the mucus formed in them as a result of irritation and inflammation of the mucosa dries up, blocking the respiratory passages. In this case, the ventilation of these organs is disturbed.

Causes of the disease

The causes of bronchitis in children are:

If the treatment of bronchitis in children is not carried out in a timely manner or turned out to be ineffective, then the disease from an acute form becomes chronic. Moreover, it lasts for years, with periodic relapses. Most often, recurrent bronchitis occurs in children 4-7 years old. The disease recurs 3-4 times a year after a cold, for about 2 years. There are no episodes of bronchospasm.

The likelihood of a complicated disease increases if the child has inflammation of the adenoids or chronic tonsillitis. Factors contributing to the occurrence of bronchitis in an infant are early weaning, unsuitable sanitary and living conditions, the presence of smokers in the house.

Symptoms of different types of bronchitis

The device of the respiratory system in children has its own characteristics. Their respiratory passages are narrower, due to which their rapid overlap is possible in the event of mucosal edema. Congenital malformations of the lungs or bronchi are more pronounced in infants. After 1-1.5 years, deviations often disappear.

Immunity in children is under development, their susceptibility to infections is increased. Respiratory muscles are weaker, due to which ventilation respiratory organs worse than adults. In addition, the volume of the lungs in children is less, which contributes to the accelerated spread of pathogens.

In children, thermoregulation of the body is not sufficiently developed. They overheat faster, catch a cold easier.

Note: Especially quickly spasm and swelling of the bronchi (obstruction) develops in infants. The resulting lack of oxygen is life-threatening.

Types of acute bronchitis

There are the following types of acute illness:

1. Simple bronchitis. The symptoms are the mildest. There are no symptoms of shortness of breath.
2. Obstructive bronchitis. heavy and dangerous state which may cause respiratory failure.
3. bronchiolitis. There is inflammation of the bronchioles (bronchial tubes with a diameter of 1 mm, located in the region of transition to the lungs). This leads to blockage of the pulmonary vessels, the occurrence of heart disease.

Bronchitis of any type begins with the onset of cold symptoms, which then become characteristics inflammatory process.

Symptoms of simple bronchitis

Against the background of a cold, the child is observed general weakness, headache, severe dry cough up to 7 days. Drying of the mucus leads to the appearance of hoarseness in the bronchi. If the inflammation also affected the larynx, then a barking cough appears. There is an increase in temperature to 37 ° -38 ° (depending on the severity of the disease). Gradually, a dry cough turns into a wet one. There are gurgling wheezing. If the discharge of sputum occurs normally, then the child's condition improves significantly. The disease in this form can last for 1-3 weeks. The severity of manifestations depends on the age of the baby, his physical development, general health.

If the disease is started, then the child has complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Sometimes a disease that occurs in a viral form does not proceed quite normally. After the virus dies (after about a week), the child gets better, but then his condition deteriorates sharply: the temperature rises, the cough and headache intensify. This suggests that a bacterial infection has joined the viral infection, it is required emergency treatment antibiotics.

The infection process can be either unilateral or bilateral. One of the signs of the disease is redness of the eyes due to inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctivitis).

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis

Signs of obstruction most often appear in children under 3-4 years of age. They usually occur with a viral or allergic form of the disease. The main signs of obstructive bronchitis are noisy hoarse breathing with prolonged expiration, paroxysmal cough ending in vomiting, retraction of the intercostal muscles on inspiration, bloating chest.

With this form of the disease, the child's body temperature does not rise. Obstructive bronchitis can occur suddenly after the baby has played with a pet (for example, at a party) or inhaled paint during repairs.

Signs of obstruction sometimes appear around the 4th day of influenza or acute respiratory infections. Characteristic are bouts of dry cough, which does not bring relief. Whistling rales are heard in the lungs.

Up to 4 years, relapses of the disease are possible, then the attacks most often stop.

Note: From bronchial asthma obstructive bronchitis differs in that the symptoms of respiratory failure develop slowly, while in asthma the child begins to choke suddenly.

A frequently recurring obstructive process of any origin can turn into bronchial asthma.

Video: How to treat obstructive bronchitis in children

Signs of bronchiolitis

The main sign of inflammation of the bronchioles is shortness of breath. At first, it occurs in a child if he is actively moving, but over time it appears at rest. During inspiration, you can hear a characteristic hiss. When listening, the doctor hears wheezing in the lower part of the bronchi.

As a rule, with bronchiolitis, the temperature rises to 38 ° -39 °. It is more difficult for a child to exhale than to inhale. The chest and shoulders are raised. The face swells, blue appears. Persistent cough with scanty sputum gives no relief, causing chest pains. Other manifestations of this condition are dry mouth, infrequent urination, and rapid heartbeat.

The course of bronchitis in children of different ages

Bronchitis after a cold in a child is a common occurrence. Sometimes it proceeds easily, without fever and is manifested only by a cough. In complicated cases, the temperature is high, there are spasms of the bronchi and suffocation.

The disease usually begins with a dry cough. Gradually, sputum accumulates in the bronchi, which becomes mucopurulent. Wheezing appears, they can be considered signs of the transition of the disease to the stage of recovery. At this point, it is important to facilitate the removal of sputum to the outside, cleaning the bronchi from infection. This is easier for older children, as they already understand that they need to cough up and spit out sputum.

A small child is not always able to do it on his own. Parents can help him, for example, by turning him over to another barrel. In this case, sputum moves along the walls of the bronchi, causing irritation and coughing.

In infants, due to difficulties with the discharge of mucus from the bronchi and its stagnation, the main symptoms are often bouts of severe coughing with shortness of breath. At the age of 2-6 months, the disease usually occurs in the form of bronchiolitis.

Usually, recovery from uncomplicated bronchitis occurs in 7-8 days. If bronchitis is complicated by obstruction, then it can manifest itself within a few weeks, turning into pneumonia.

Diagnosis of bronchitis

By the nature of the cough and the type of sputum discharge, the doctor determines what type of bronchitis occurs in a child. Sputum white color is characteristic of viral inflammation, and a greenish-yellow tint appears in it with bacterial inflammation of the bronchi. With allergic bronchitis, lumps of clear mucus are coughed up.

During examination and listening to the chest, the presence of such symptoms of bronchitis in children as hoarse breathing, difficulty exhaling, swelling of the chest, and muscle retraction in the intercostal region is determined.

With the help of a general blood test, the number of leukocytes is determined, the presence of an inflammatory process is established.

In case of dangerous complications (severe coughing attacks accompanied by a high temperature for more than 3 days), an x-ray of the lungs is taken. In this case, equipment with a reduced dose is used. radioactive radiation. Pneumotachometry is performed. By using special device airway patency during inhalation and exhalation is examined.

If there are signs of an infectious disease, a sputum test is done to determine the type of infectious agent. To diagnose bronchiolitis in infants, a histological examination of sputum is performed for the presence of characteristic viruses that can live in the bronchi and lungs, the so-called respiratory syncytial infection. An important sign inflammation of the bronchi baby is cyanosis (cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes), which appears as a result of heart and lung failure.

For the diagnosis, the presence of characteristic wheezing and shortness of breath, as well as the frequency and strength of the heartbeat, are important.

A strong cough can also occur with other diseases, such as pneumonia, laryngitis, tuberculosis. Its cause may be congenital pathology the functioning of the respiratory system, the ingress of a foreign body into the trachea. Diagnosis allows you to confirm the presence of bronchitis, prescribe the correct treatment.

Video: Dr. E. Komarovsky about the cause and treatment of bronchitis

Bronchitis treatment

First of all, parents should remember that in no case is it unacceptable to self-medicate. As pediatrician E. Komarovsky emphasizes, little child with bronchitis can harm not only uncontrolled reception medications but also improper application of home procedures.

Hospitalization is carried out in cases where acute bronchitis occurs in a complicated form (in the presence of shortness of breath, high temperature, difficulty in eating and drinking). At home, when treating simple bronchitis, the child should be in bed if he has heat. As soon as it normalizes, the child needs walks on fresh air.

It is often necessary to drink warm tea, compote (fluid intake should be increased by 1.5 times compared to usual). This contributes to the liquefaction of sputum and its removal from the bronchi. Can be prepared for drinking herbal teas(linden, mint). It is useful to drink alkaline mineral water, which will help reduce the viscosity of sputum. An infant is applied to the chest as often as possible, additionally watered with water.

Thermal procedures (inhalations, mustard plasters, baths for warming the legs, rubbing the chest) can only be carried out in the absence of elevated temperature body.

Medicines prescribed for children with bronchitis

Antiviral drugs, such as arbidol, anaferon, fluferon, interferon, for acute bronchitis, the doctor prescribes, taking into account the age and weight of the child.

Antibiotics with bronchitis effective action only if the disease is bacterial in nature. They are prescribed when thick sputum is colored yellow-green, while there is a high temperature, shortness of breath, symptoms of intoxication of the body (nausea, severe headache, weakness, sleep disturbance). The presence of a bacterial process can be said if the symptoms of the disease do not subside within 10 days after the start of antiviral treatment. Antibiotics are needed if a child develops bronchiolitis and is at risk of developing pneumonia. Usually, children are prescribed azithromycin, zinnat, supraks, sumamed.

Cough remedies. The following types of drugs are used:

• expectorants (pertussin, licorice root extract, decoctions of some herbs);
• sputum thinners such as bromhexine, lazolvan, libexin.

Fluifort, which has proven itself in the treatment of children, is used to thin sputum for bronchitis and cough. Available in the form of a syrup, which is convenient to give to a child, and pleasant taste even kids like it. The main active ingredient in the composition of the syrup is carbocysteine ​​​​lysine salt, it helps to thin and remove sputum from the lungs. Fluifort restores the structure of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, facilitates breathing, significantly reduces the frequency and intensity of coughing. The effect of the drug is noticeable already in the first hour after application and lasts up to 8 hours. The neutral pH of the syrup makes it completely safe.

Warning: Babies under 2 years of age should never be given expectorants. Taking them will increase the coughing fit. The liquefied sputum can enter the respiratory tract and lungs, leading to even more serious complications.

Antipyretics. Panadol (paracetamol), nurofen (ibuprofen), ibuklin are used in the form of tablets, suspensions, suppositories - in forms convenient for children of any age.

Antihistamines(Zyrtec - for children older than 6 months, Erius - from 1 year old, Claritin - from 2 years old). They are used in the treatment of allergic bronchitis in children.

Preparations for inhalation. Used for obstructive acute bronchitis. The procedures are carried out using a special inhaler. Used such means as salbutamol, atrovent.

As additional procedures, chest massage, therapeutic breathing exercises, physiotherapy (ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis) are prescribed. Procedures are not carried out during an exacerbation of the disease.

Video: Therapeutic cough massage

The use of folk methods for bronchitis

Folk remedies based on natural ingredients help to alleviate the condition of the child with bronchitis, hold preventive treatment to prevent relapse, strengthen immunity. Such funds, after agreement with the doctor, are taken as an adjunct to drug treatment.

Note: The well-known Moscow doctor, chief pulmonologist of Russia, Professor L. M. Roshal strongly recommends using the "Monastic Collection" for chronic bronchitis, composed of 16 herbs (sage, string, wormwood and others). Herbal remedies, mustard, honey and other medicinal components used in traditional medicine cause allergies in many people. Therefore, they can not be used by everyone.

As an expectorant, you can use a decoction of coltsfoot, it calms a cough well with simple bronchitis, a decoction of St. John's wort, which has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. known medicine from cough with bronchitis, pneumonia is considered baked radish with honey, oatmeal. Soda inhalations also help.

Effective home treatments include warming and distracting procedures (applied foot baths, mustard plasters, jars, warming compresses on the right side of the chest).

The most important measure for the prevention of bronchitis is the timely treatment of colds, runny nose, infectious diseases of the throat and upper respiratory tract. The child must be tempered, accustomed to physical education, he must spend a lot of time outdoors. The food all year round vitamins must be added.

It is important for parents to ensure that the apartment is always clean, cool, sufficiently humid air.

SARS (acute respiratory viral infections) is a group of acute infectious diseases caused by a group of viruses that affect the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the conjunctiva of the eyes. These infections rank first in frequency among all infectious diseases in the world. An adult gets ARVI on average 2-3 times a year, a child - 6-8 times. About what causes this disease, what is the mechanism of its development and the main clinical signs, you could find in the first part of our article. Here we will talk about the possible complications of SARS and will consider the issues of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disease.

Complications of SARS

Any acute respiratory viral infection can cause complications, both viral itself and those arising from the layering of a bacterial infection. The likelihood of developing complications is higher in:

• children under 3 years old, especially under 1 year old;
• elderly people;
• persons with severe somatic pathology (diabetes mellitus) and chronic disorders blood circulation;
• persons after undergoing surgery;
• persons with immunodeficiencies (HIV, congenital pathology immune system).

The most commonly diagnosed complications are:

• inflammation of the bronchi (), bronchioles () and lungs ();
• inflammation paranasal sinuses nose (sinusitis: frontal sinusitis,);

Complications from nervous system(polyradiculoneuritis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, convulsive syndrome) occur less frequently, but are very difficult to tolerate by patients and often pose a threat to life.

With severe intoxication of the patient's body, disturbances in the functioning of the heart, myocarditis are possible.

Hemorrhages on the skin and mucous membranes are complications severe forms flu.

Serious complication in children early age, requiring emergency medical care, is , or acute stenosis larynx.

Diagnosis of SARS

The diagnosis of ARVI usually does not cause difficulties for the doctor. It is set on the basis of the patient's complaints, the history of the disease (he fell ill acutely after contact with the patient), taking into account epidemiological data.

During an objective examination of the patient, the specialist will pay attention to signs of inflammation in the area of ​​the mucous membrane of the conjunctiva, nose, pharynx and other parts of the respiratory tract, and also assess the severity of intoxication (heart rate, shortness of breath).

To confirm the diagnosis, the patient may be assigned additional methods of examination:

• complete blood count (ESR will be increased, lymphocytosis is possible);
• general urinalysis (to exclude the pathology of the urinary system);
• examination of a smear-imprint taken from the nasal mucosa, PCR methods and RIF (to determine the type of virus).

For diagnostics possible complications according to indications, an x-ray examination of the paranasal sinuses, lungs, as well as consultations of related specialists - an otolaryngologist, a neuropathologist, can be prescribed.

Principles of treatment of SARS

To defeat ARVI faster, the body will be helped by abundant, rich in vitamins drink.

Acute respiratory viral lung infection and moderate degrees of severity are subject to outpatient treatment, while severe ones - in a hospital. The treatment is carried out by a local therapist or family doctor, in a hospital - as a rule, an infectious disease specialist. In the presence of complications, doctors of narrow specialties are connected to the treatment - ENT, neuropathologist, pulmonologist ...

The patient is released from work for the entire period of illness - he is issued a disability certificate.

Volume medical measures directly depends on the nature of the pathology and the severity of the course of the disease.

Treatment of acute respiratory viral infections should be carried out comprehensively and include both non-drug and medical methods therapy.

The most important component of treatment is the correct microclimate in the room where the patient is located. When staying where it is hot and dry, the mucous membranes dry up and lose the ability to perform their essential functions to fight infection. Therefore, in the patient's room with ARVI, it should be cool (optimal air temperature - 18-20 ° C) and humid (air humidity - 60-65%). The recommended air temperature is considered by many to be, to put it mildly, too cool, but the combination of just such numbers of temperature and humidity will improve the patient's well-being and speed up his recovery. Of course, the patient's home clothes should correspond to the air temperature: thin pajamas will not be enough.

Second component non-drug treatment is a plentiful warm drink. A patient with ARVI, especially a feverish one, loses a lot of fluid with sweat separated from inflamed mucous membranes. These losses need to be replenished. In addition, a person who drinks a lot urinates more often, and the products of the metabolism of viruses and toxins come out with urine, therefore, the manifestations of intoxication decrease. You can drink whatever you want: warm milk with honey, compotes, herbal teas, fruit and vegetable juices and fruit drinks, mineral water. Alcoholic and carbonated drinks should be excluded.

Do not forget about the importance of a full-fledged, rich in vitamins (A, C, group B) and trace elements necessary for recovery. Indigestible and unhealthy (fried, smoked, spicy) foods should be excluded from the diet. Dishes consumed by the patient should be mechanically gentle and warm. If the appetite is reduced, you do not need to force yourself to eat - after a while, the appetite normalizes on its own.

Bed rest for mild and moderate forms of SARS may not be observed, but it is important to rest as much as possible and minimize contact with people so as not to infect them and avoid re-infection yourself.

Drug therapy for acute respiratory viral infections includes etiotropic (i.e., affecting causal factor- virus), pathogenetic (detoxification) and symptomatic (relieving the patient's condition by reducing certain symptoms that are unpleasant for him) therapy.

Etiotropic antiviral therapy is effective only in cases where it is prescribed on time, namely, when the first symptoms of the disease appear. Usually prescribed drugs such as Interferon, Groprinosin, Isoprinosine (in pediatric practice), Kagocel, Arbidol, Amizon, Anaferon, Immunoflazid, Proteflazid, Oseltamivir.

The following groups of drugs can be used as symptomatic therapy:

• antipyretics (paracetamol (Panadol), ibuprofen (Nurofen)); it is worth noting that a temperature of up to 38.5 ° C does not require the use of antipyretics, since it is with such numbers that the immune system actively functions, that is, the body fights the disease; the exception is persons with diseases of the central nervous system, for example, those suffering from epilepsy: even with a slight increase in temperature, they may develop a convulsive syndrome;
• antiviral and antibacterial eye drops(Albucid, Tobrex, Okulocheel) - with conjunctivitis;
• (xylometazoline, oxymetazoline) - with nasal congestion; it is important to know that these drops should not be used for more than 4-5 days in a row, as addiction can develop to them;
• (Aquamaris, Marimer, No-salt) - to thin mucus at;
• antihistamines (cetirizine (Cetrin), loratadine (Lorano), etc.) - to exclude the allergic component of inflammation and reduce swelling of the mucous membranes;
• anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents for the throat in the form of lozenges (Neo-angin, Strepsils, Aji-sept, Decatilen) and sprays (Ingalipt, Oracept, Angilex, Tera-flu);
• : expectorants (plantain syrup of Dr. Theiss, Evkabal, Prospan) and mucolytics (based on ambroxol (Lazolvan, Ambrobene), acetylcysteine ​​(ACC));
• for the purpose of detoxification - sorbents (Sorbeks, Atoxil); in severe cases, in a hospital setting - infusion therapy(intravenous drip of solutions: saline, reosorbilact);
• in order to improve immunity - immunomodulators (preparations of echinacea, ginseng, magnolia vine);
• during the period of convalescence (recovery) - multivitamin preparations (Vitrum, Multitabs, Duovit).

Antibiotics for SARS

Since antibiotics are drugs that act on bacteria, and ARVI is known to cause viruses, the appointment of drugs in this group for ARVI is impractical. However, if within 3 days (72 hours) after the onset of the disease, the patient's condition does not improve or even worsens (and subjective feelings of the patient, and according to the examination of the doctor), then it implies the layering of the bacterial flora on the viral infection, which requires the appointment of antibiotics.

Need to take medication a wide range actions, since it is not known which type of microbe complicated the course of the disease of a particular patient. Of course, it is possible to conduct an examination, place the material taken from the patient on a nutrient medium, wait until the culture of microorganisms grows, and determine their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs, but these studies will take almost a week, and the patient will not receive the treatment he needs during this time . In order not to waste time, the doctor prescribes an antibiotic immediately after he establishes such a need, more often using drugs from the aminopenicillin group (Augmentin, Flemoxin Solutab, Amoxiclav) and cephalosporins (Zinnat, Cefodox, Cefix).

It is impossible to take antibiotics irregularly and less than the period recommended by the doctor, since the bacteria weakened by the drug, but still alive, will gain strength again and, moreover, will lose their sensitivity to this drug. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage and regimen prescribed by the specialist. On average, you should take an antibiotic for 3 days after normalization of body temperature, then you can cancel it.

SARS prevention

About a month before the expected influenza epidemic, it is advisable to vaccinate against this disease. Vaccination does not exclude the possibility of getting sick, but it provides a milder course of the disease with a minimum of complications.

Methods of specific prevention of acute respiratory viral infections (vaccination) today are not effective enough - only influenza vaccination makes sense. According to the rules, it should be carried out 2-4 weeks before the start of the epidemic. Vaccines such as Influvac, Vaxigripp, Grippol, etc. have proven themselves.

From non-specific preventive measures the following must be observed:

• minimize visits to crowded places during the epidemic; if this is not possible, then it is important to remember that it is better to contact people on the street than indoors (for example, prefer a market to a store) - in the open air, the concentration of infectious agents is many times less than in a poorly ventilated room;
• wash your hands often, do not touch your mouth, eyes, avoid shaking hands;
• moisturize the nasal mucosa, using for this saline solutions or saline;
• often ventilate the housing, carry out wet cleaning in it, maintain optimal air humidity;
• carry out hardening procedures;
• periodically use immunomodulators (licorice syrup, echinacea preparations, IRS-19, Imudon, Ribomunil, etc.);
• during epidemics, take vitamins, especially ascorbic acid.

In order not to get infected from a family member suffering from ARVI, in addition to the measures mentioned above, it is necessary to provide him with individual dishes, contact with the patient as little as possible, and if contact cannot be avoided, put on him a gauze bandage covering both his mouth and nose. In order to disinfect the room in which the patient is located, it is advisable to regularly carry out quartz treatment in it (the room).

Forecast

In the vast majority of cases, the prognosis for ARVI is favorable - the disease ends full recovery. In the case of the development of severe complications (pulmonary edema, meningoencephalitis, meningitis), with their late diagnosis and lack of adequate treatment, the prognosis worsens significantly - the patient's disability and even death are possible.

Medical company "Nauka", a specialist talks about the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections:

Pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky talks about the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in children:

Bronchitis is often a complication of SARS or a cold. When an infection enters the bronchi, it causes inflammation. The result of inflammation in the bronchi will be the accumulation of mucus in them. And this will interfere with the natural air exchange in the lungs. Frequent bronchitis can give complications, namely, cause bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema, asthmatic bronchitis, and other diseases.

If initially bronchitis may be a consequence viral disease, then a bacterial infection joins them. Smoking, constant ingestion of dust, gases, other substances into the lungs, hydrochloric acid from the stomach into the esophagus and larynx provoke the development of bronchitis. Its symptoms are wheezing and difficulty breathing, coughing, fever, and throat spasms.

In chronic bronchitis, inflammation of the bronchi progresses, which is accompanied by a cough, for two years at least three months a year. Bronchitis is accompanied by shortness of breath physical activity, coughing up scanty sputum.

With exacerbation of bronchitis, fever appears, shortness of breath and cough increase. With obstructive bronchitis, there are dry wheezing, temperature fluctuations, accompanied by whistling, prolonged expiration, involvement of auxiliary muscles in the respiratory act, and periodic weakening of cough.

Which doctor should I contact for the treatment of bronchitis?

In our medical center, qualified specialists will help you: - treat bronchitis in adults and - cure your child. The doctor prescribes the passage of bronchography, bronchoscopy, sputum examination and for the diagnosis of bronchitis.

To cure bronchitis, you need to follow the rules: prevent changes in the temperature of the inhaled air, observe temperature regime regularly drink up to four liters of water a day. To cure bronchitis, the doctor prescribes sulfonamides, antibiotics, phytoncides, antiseptics.

Mucolytic drugs are prescribed to relieve cough. Well help inhalation, UHF, quartz. Banks, compresses, foot baths, mustard plasters are used to treat bronchitis.

To prevent bronchitis, you need to exercise exercise, hardening, eat rationally, take immunomodulators to increase immunity, use antiviral drugs during an influenza epidemic.

With bronchitis, heating of the chest is prescribed, therapeutic breathing exercises, massage, inhalation. With bronchitis, drugs are also prescribed: dioxidine, atrovent, lazolvan, ventolin.

Quite often, after the onset of an acute respiratory viral infection, babies experience complications that are associated with damage various departments respiratory system against the background of bacterial infection. The occurrence of bronchitis in children is becoming a very common phenomenon, and this pathology is considered the second most severe after such a formidable disease and complications as pneumonia or pneumonia.

If the optimal and adequate treatment of bronchitis in children is taken in time, it will soon disappear forever. But if not treated at all or used incompletely effective measures, then acute bronchitis can soon transform into a chronic disease that will bring a lot of suffering to children.

Before continuing reading: If you are looking for effective method getting rid of constant colds and diseases of the nose, throat, lungs, then be sure to look into section of the site "Book" after reading this article. This information is based on personal experience the author and helped many people, we hope it will help you. NOT advertising! So, now back to the article.

It is worth noting that modern medicine and new principles of treatment allow you to quickly and effectively save a child from a disease that will not leave a trace, the main thing is not to waste time and seriously take up treatment, but for this you need to be savvy in knowledge about this pathology and carefully follow all the recommendations of the attending physician.

In this article, we will talk in more detail about the causes of bronchitis in children, the signs and first symptoms, and the most important thing - how to treat bronchitis in a child, depending on the type and severity of this disease.

The most common causes of bronchitis in children

Bronchitis is considered the most common respiratory disease. Most often, acute bronchitis follows an acute respiratory viral infection, which includes influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus infection, respiratory syncytial infection, diseases caused by corona or rhinoviruses, ECHO or Coxsackie viruses.

After a viral infection damages the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, a bacterial infection easily penetrates the body through the affected areas of the respiratory epithelium. The most common pathogens that cause this disease in babies are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae.

A bacterial infection begins to affect the upper respiratory tract first, gradually descending lower and lower. And if at first the throat and larynx become inflamed (pharyngitis, laryngitis), then soon pathological process is transferred to the trachea (tracheitis) and bronchi, first the largest, and then to the small bronchi, up to the bronchioles. And the lower the inflammatory process goes, the more serious the situation becomes.

In the spread of a bacterial infection, the smallest foreign bodies that are infected with streptococci or Haemophilus influenzae. They enter the respiratory tract of the child by accident during eating, talking, screaming, playing. The child may accidentally inhale the smallest piece of food, which is immediately removed. But the infection already remains in the bronchi and begins its damaging effect.

Most often, the disease occurs against the background of mixed pathology, when first viruses, and then bacteria, affect the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. But there are also such bronchitis, in which the trigger mechanism is chemical and physical factors that manifest their irritating effect and lead to the onset of bronchitis. This can be the inhalation of fumes, gasoline vapors, chlorine, and any chemical compounds.

Allergic bronchitis in children stands apart, which occurs due to the increased sensitivity of the child's body to some allergens that are especially aggressive for it, for example, pollen from flowers or trees, animal hair, house dust, household chemicals.

It must also be remembered that the disease can occur due to a congenital malformation of the respiratory system. In this case, bronchitis in children takes on a protracted and recurrent character, because in the respiratory tract there are constantly purulent foci of inflammation in the lungs.

Children suffer from acute bronchitis much more often than adults, which has a very serious explanation. This main "culprit" of children's bronchitis is the immune system, which in the first years of life of babies is still imperfect, unable to work with full dedication to protect the child from aggressive infections.

Bronchitis in young children is also due to the special structure of the respiratory tract, when the bronchi are shorter and wider than in adults, which makes it much easier and faster for infections to enter the respiratory tract.

Frequent bronchitis in children also occurs due to external factors. Children often have to be in a crowded children's team, in which the infection is easily transmitted from each other. This is facilitated by staying indoors, which is rarely ventilated, but well heated. And vice versa, cold wet rooms, where drafts are present, are one of the main triggers for the appearance infectious pathologies, colds .

Physicians identify several negative factors that contribute to the development of bronchitis in childhood. These include, by the way, much of what was said above:

• Physical factors - drafts, hypothermia, dry and cold air, radiation;
• Chemical factors - chemicals found in the air, which include tobacco smoke, dust, ammonia, chlorine vapors, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides;
• aspiration syndrome;
• Immunodeficiency states (primary and secondary), pathology of humoral and cellular immunity;
• Foci of inflammation in the respiratory tract - sinusitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, adenoiditis;
• Pathology of local protective defense mechanisms (hereditary and acquired);
• Pathology of mucociliary clearance, which can be either congenital or acquired.

Why do children often get bronchitis in one season?

Parents very often naively believe that if their child has had infectious disease respiratory system at the beginning of the season, then he will develop immunity that will protect him in the coming winter months from repeated diseases. But then one has to be surprised and upset by the fact that the child often gets sick with bronchitis, and several times in one winter season.

Explained frequent bronchitis children are very easy. Separate types acute respiratory viral infections usually like to occur at a certain time of the year. For example, rhinovirus infections and parainfluenza most often occur in the autumn months, influenza - in winter, and adenoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses prefer to rage in the first months of spring.

A child who has had an inflammatory lesion of the bronchi after a parainfluenza infection has a weakened immune system, which makes the next infection enter the body even faster. And children's immunity simply does not have time to work effectively. A child often has bronchitis also due to the fact that they attend children's groups, where the transmission of infection is almost instantaneous.

Especially often bronchitis occurs in the first year of attending a kindergarten or school, which is called diseases of the adaptation period, for which parents have to prepare and not panic, because this is a completely natural phenomenon.

So it turns out that chronic or recurrent bronchitis in a child, which recurs more than 3-4 times in one season, is caused by various infectious agents and a weak immune system. Therefore, it is very important to engage in the prevention of colds, SARS and bronchitis in advance.

Types of childhood bronchitis: classification

In practice, there are several clinical species bronchitis in children, which differ in their etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms and methods of treatment.

Bronchitis can be:

• Simple sharp;
• Obstructive acute;
• asthmatic;
• recurrent;
• obliterating;
• chronic;
• bronchiolitis.

Acute simple bronchitis in children resolves with inflammatory lesion mucous membrane of the bronchial system on the background of a viral or bacterial infection without symptoms of obstruction. This is the most favorable type of bronchitis in terms of prognosis and easy to treat, which does not require serious treatment measures and can often resolve on its own.

Acute obstructive bronchitis in children occurs due to a sudden and sharp spasm of the bronchi, mainly middle and small size, which is potentiated by infectious and non-infectious factors. The cause of obstructive bronchitis in a child may be developing bronchial asthma. In this case, the disease is called asthmatic bronchitis.

Acute obliterating bronchitis occurs against the background of complete and partial blockage of the lumen of individual bronchi, which can be caused as profuse effusion or aspiration of foreign objects.

In particularly severe cases, obstructive and obliterating bronchitis can lead to bronchiolitis, which is usually treated in the intensive care unit.

In the absence of proper treatment, acute bronchitis often turns into chronic or recurrent bronchitis.

Bronchitis is a lesion of the bronchi, regardless of their diameter and size. But the defeat of the small terminal sections of the bronchi in babies, which is, in fact, bronchitis in children under one year old or more often up to 2 years old, is called bronchiolitis.

Sometimes tracheobronchitis is isolated, which means damage to the trachea and bronchi at the same time. The most dangerous complication of bronchitis in a child is bronchopneumonia, when the infection passes from the lung mucosa to the alveoli and lung tissue.

Except clinical classification bronchitis can be divided into:

• according to the mechanism of occurrence - into primary and secondary;
• by the nature of the inflammatory process - catarrhal, catarrhal-purulent, purulent and atrophic;
• according to the course of the disease - into acute, chronic and recurrent;
• according to the severity of the course - into mild bronchitis, moderate and severe.

The most common and main symptoms of bronchitis in children

For all types of acute bronchitis, there is a list of the most characteristic common symptoms, although the course and manifestation of each species has its own characteristics. The most important signs of bronchitis in children are:

• cough (dry and wet);
• temperature;
• runny nose;
• general lethargy and malaise.

At the beginning of the disease, the cough is very painful, hacking, hysterical, dry. True, it can appear only 2-3 days from the onset of the disease. But from the moment of its occurrence, it greatly exhausts the child. After a short period of time, usually after 3-5 days, a dry cough becomes wet with mucus and then purulent sputum. The appearance of a wet cough indicates that the disease has begun to recede, and children's body is on the road to recovery.

For acute simple bronchitis, the separation of transparent mucous sputum is characteristic, and for chronic - purulent sputum. During coughing, the child complains of pain behind the sternum, which intensifies during coughing.

The temperature in bronchitis in children rarely rises to high values, most often it is at a subfebrile level. High level temperature usually occurs if the disease occurs against the background of an influenza or adenovirus infection, or if serious complications join - bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

During auscultation, the doctor listens to dry rales at the beginning of the disease, then wet rales can join, which look like medium and large bubbling rales. The percussion sound of the pulmonary region in simple acute bronchitis remains normal.

The condition of the child during illness usually remains relatively satisfactory, with no signs of intoxication. Respiratory failure is either absent or mild.

Uncomplicated acute bronchitis in children passes with timely treatment, at best, in 2-3 weeks. But in recent times Increasingly, bronchitis in a child is not resolved even for a month, and their duration of up to 3-4 weeks is already perceived by pediatricians as quite normal.

Prolonged course of bronchitis is typical for infants, when infected with RS viruses. In the older children's group, a prolonged course of the disease occurs when infected with mycoplasmas and adenoviruses.

How to distinguish between bronchitis and SARS?

All the symptoms of bronchitis are very similar to the onset of a banal ARVI, so outwardly the difference lies in the fact that in children the temperature during bronchitis rarely rises above 38 ° C, and general state the child remains relatively satisfactory. Therefore, in order to distinguish between bronchitis and ARVI, one has to resort to auscultation methods of examination and other instrumental methods, which only a doctor can do.

With ARVI, such wheezing does not exist, only hard breathing. Cough with bronchitis in a child is accompanied by the appearance of dry, and then wet, wheezing and wheezing, wheezing in different places. They differ in sound depending on the caliber of the affected bronchus. Wheezing occurs due to the movement of sputum in the lumen of the bronchus as a result of respiratory movements and a cough reflex.

If with the help of auscultation it is impossible to establish bronchitis or exclude the addition of bronchopneumonia, one has to resort to an X-ray examination. But the radiograph with bronchitis reveals a non-specific picture of a more rigid enhanced pattern of lung tissue and expansion of the bronchi and roots of the lung, however, areas of blackout or infiltration, which most often speak of pneumonia, are not detected.

Features of obstructive bronchitis in children

Obstructive bronchitis in children occurs against the background of acute inflammation mucous membranes of the bronchi with complete blockage. Against the background of SARS or influenza, obstructive bronchitis occurs in young children in almost 50% of cases. By the way, a common and common cause of bronchial obstruction is an allergy that provokes copious excretion sputum into the lumen of the bronchi, which is complemented by their spasm.

The smallest children are especially difficult to tolerate obstructive bronchitis, which requires emergency treatment. This is due to the fact that in babies the bronchi have a very small lumen, so swelling and an increase in the thickness of the mucosa by only 1 mm leads to blockage of the bronchi by 50% or more, which quickly leads to respiratory failure.

In children, obstructive bronchitis begins acutely with sharp increase body temperature, runny nose, dry cough, which quickly turns into a wet one. Expiratory shortness of breath quickly joins, in which exhalation is lengthened and difficult. At the same time, there is practically no increase in respiration. Even at a distance from the child, wheezing wheezing and noisy exhalation are well heard. The muscles of the chest are involved more actively during breathing. If bronchial obstruction lasts for a long time, then the phenomena of hypoxia quickly increase.

This type of illness usually lasts up to 10 days, but bronchitis in an infant can last up to 2-3 weeks. Repeated attacks obstructive bronchitis in children may occur after another SARS, but by the age of 3-4 they usually stop. Bronchitis in a child after 3 years is less and less obstructive.

Symptoms of intoxication and fever in allergic bronchitis in children are absent. Treatment of this type of bronchitis in children is aimed at eliminating contact with the allergen and conducting specific therapy to relieve bronchospasm.

Features of the course of obliterating bronchitis in children

Obliterating bronchitis in children can occur both in acute and in chronic form. It often ends with the occurrence of bronchiolitis, because the end sections of the smallest bronchi are quickly involved in the pathological process, which makes its course very difficult.

This form of the disease occurs most often in young children in the first years of their life (up to 4-5 years), and the largest proportion of such bronchitis is recorded in children under 2 years of age. The cause of bronchiolitis is usually SARS or influenza, which are complicated by severe broncho-obstructive syndrome with rapid development respiratory failure severe hypoxia.

Bronchiolitis is characterized by expiratory dyspnea, when exhalation is seriously difficult, although there may be shortness of breath and mixed type. In babies, it becomes clear how they use the muscles of the abdomen and chest in the act of breathing. characteristic feature bronchiolitis is a pronounced cyanosis of the skin in a child.

On auscultation, moist, diffuse, finely bubbling rales and crepitating, crackling-like rales are characteristic. X-ray examination reveals swelling of the lung tissue.

This is a very severe form of bronchial disease, because in children pneumonia can join bronchiolitis, moreover, serious condition and the development of respiratory failure requires emergency measures treatment, up to intensive In this case, it will not be possible to manage with folk remedies for the treatment of bronchitis in a child. It will require urgent hospitalization and intensive care.

If in other types of this disease, the release of exudate into the lumen of the bronchi does not occur from the first days of the disease, then with bronchiolitis in the first days of the disease, a lot of sputum is formed, and it has a very viscous and viscous character. The secret quickly clogs the bronchioles and small bronchi, which leads to respiratory failure.

The condition of the child is also aggravated by the fact that babies still do not know how to cough well and effectively, and lying position only aggravates and delays the treatment of bronchitis in infants. The rapid spread of the infection leads to the development of a complication that is very dangerous for the health and life of the baby - pneumonia.

Features of the course of bronchitis in children older than one year

As mentioned above, respiratory system in young children has not yet fully formed, the immune system is inefficient, which is why bronchitis in young children becomes severe with rapid spread infection in the lung tissue.

Bronchitis in a child at the age of 1 year always begins acutely. It is noteworthy that the child feels hard, the temperature quickly rises to 39°C and stays at this level for up to 2-3 days. During this period, there is a dry hacking cough, which changes to wet on the 3-4th day. With bronchitis in a one-year-old child, sputum gradually changes from mucous to mucopurulent. At timely treatment and the most favorable course of recovery occurs on the 7-8th day, of course, if there are no complications.

In infants, acute bronchitis can occur with an asthmatic component. Often accompanied by manifestations exudative diathesis. In this case, the duration of the disease reaches several weeks, and very often pneumonia joins bronchitis in children.

Basic principles for the treatment of acute bronchitis (simple) in children

No self-treatment or treatment by one's own methods without the participation of doctors is the most important and very important principle of getting rid and treating babies from bronchitis. Parents should learn this once and for all, because at first glance, the usual bronchitis becomes only the beginning of a very serious complications, which can threaten not only his health, but also life.

It is possible to resort to alternative treatment of bronchitis in children only in cases of acute, uncomplicated, simple bronchitis, but only under the supervision of doctors. In all other cases, drug therapy is indispensable. Therefore, if you have identified symptoms of the development of bronchitis in your child, then on treatment you need to consult only with a doctor who will select the most effective medicines for a given age and characteristics of the course of the disease.

The treatment of bronchitis in babies is always complex, it includes the fight against the infectious onset, the release of the bronchi from the contents, the reduction of sputum secretion, the improvement general well-being child. Therefore, in order to appreciate all the nuances of the treatment process and understand how to cure bronchitis in a child, we suggest that you read the basic principles of therapy:

1. In acute bronchitis, children need to observe half-bed rest, when subsiding acute symptoms allow the child to lead a more active lifestyle.

2. The daily volume of drinking should be increased by 2 times compared to the usual daily need of the child.

3. Aerotherapy is carried out with mandatory ventilation of the room where the sick child is located, up to 4 times a day, preventing the air temperature in the room from falling below 18-19 ° C.

4. It is necessary to follow a light diet with a predominant content of vegetable and dairy foods. From food you need to exclude spicy dishes, seasonings and foods that can cause allergies.

5. At the beginning of the disease, antiviral therapy is indicated, for which you can use intranasal leukocyte Interferon and its analogues. If there is suspicion of adenovirus etiology diseases, then RNase or Deoxyribonuclease is indicated. With influenza infection, Remantadine, Ribavirin, immunoglobulin and other similar drugs are used.

6. At temperatures above 38.5 ° C, the appointment of antipyretics (Paracetamol, Panadol) and rubbing with a 9% solution of water with vinegar is indicated.

7. To facilitate the discharge of sputum and reduce the inflammatory process in the bronchi, inhalations are used - soda or soda-salt, in the absence of contraindications - with herbal infusions, decoctions, essential oils, as well as the use of mucolytics - Mucosolvin, ACC (acetylcysteine), Carbocysteine, Fluditec, Ambroxol.

8. In the presence of a dry painful, unproductive cough, you can use drugs that suppress the cough reflex by inhibiting the cough center, for example, Tusuprex, Libexin, Glaucine hydrochloride, Tussin plus or Stoptussin, but only if there are no contraindications and sputum does not form in the bronchi. You can use remedies that do not depress the cough center, but eliminate dry cough - Prospan, Gerbion.

9. Expectorant drug therapy includes the use of Althea Root tincture, Mukaltin, Bromhexin, Lazolvan, Stoptussin-phyto, Tussin, Pertussin, thyme decoctions, Gerbion, Prospan, iodine-alkaline mixtures and others.

10. If there is a copious discharge a large number sputum, postural drainage and vibration massage are indicated for bronchitis in children.

11. Mustard plasters can be used, although they do not have proven clinical efficacy. Once popular banks are forbidden to use. Although they can outwardly alleviate the condition of the child, but if it goes purulent process, then banks will only accelerate its spread to neighboring healthy parts of the respiratory tract. The use of Doctor Mom ointment and its analogues is considered effective.

12. In the treatment of allergic bronchitis in children, antihistamines are indicated, for example, Phenkarol, Suprastin, Diazalin, Tavegil, etc. It is prescribed as an adjuvant therapy for bronchitis with a non-allergic nature.

13. good effect gives breathing exercises.

14. In general scheme treatment is useful to include folk remedies for treating bronchitis.

15. In especially severe cases, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

Indications for urgent hospitalization are the appearance of shortness of breath, respiratory failure, hypoxia, a sharp deterioration in the child's condition, and the lack of progress during treatment. But in most cases, bronchitis can be treated at home.

Are antibiotics needed to treat childhood bronchitis?

Many parents mistakenly believe that treatment acute bronchitis children must include antibiotics. It's deep misconception, because antibiotics for bronchitis in children are prescribed in rare exceptional cases, when the pathological process descends into the most lower divisions respiratory tract and threatens to cause pneumonia. Antibiotics are not prescribed immediately at the first symptoms of bronchitis in a child.

The basis for the treatment of bronchitis in children with antibiotics can be a long-term high body temperature for more than 3-4 days, a high temperature with symptoms of intoxication, as well as the occurrence of an elevated body temperature after suffering bronchitis in a child. But all these cases are treated exclusively in stationary conditions, because they require a serious examination and monitoring of sick children, in whom inflammatory processes can develop rapidly.

However, if it is shown antibiotic therapy, then the choice of the drug is carried out only in accordance with the type of infectious agent that caused bronchitis in the baby. If the antibiotic or its complex is correctly selected, then the inflammatory phenomena and the disease itself quickly subside, and by the end of the first week of the disease clinical symptoms bronchitis disappear completely.

In pediatrics, the main emphasis is on the treatment of bronchitis with the following antibiotics:

• Penicillins, such as Amoxicillin;
• Cephalosporins II-III generations- Cefuroxime, Cefixime, Cefaclor, Ceftibuten (oral);
• Macrolides - Erythromycin, Rovamycin, Clarithromycin, Vilprofen, Roxithromycin, Spiramycin, Midecamycin, Macropen, Rulid.

Good results are obtained by topical application of the drug Bioparox, which includes antibiotics and other auxiliary anti-inflammatory drugs.

If the course of bronchitis baby lung and medium-severe, then the drugs are used orally, only in severe cases it is necessary to administer antibiotics parenterally. When the condition improves, you can switch back to oral antibiotics.

If there is no positive dynamics in antibiotic treatment for 3-5 days, the temperature persists, intoxication, respiratory failure, then another antibiotic should be used. Therefore, mothers need to be very vigilant, and if there is no improvement, immediately inform the doctor about it.

The duration of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of simple acute bronchitis is about 7 days. Treatment of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in children with antibiotics lasts 10-14 days.

Recently, the method of administering antibiotics using a nebulizer has proven to be very effective.

Features of the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children

The principles of treatment of obstructive bronchitis basically coincide with the treatment regimen for simple, uncomplicated, acute bronchitis or exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. However, there are some peculiarities here - it is necessary to eliminate the obstruction of the respiratory tract, depending on the severity of the obstructive syndrome.

If this type of bronchitis is accompanied by respiratory or heart failure, then the treatment of children should occur only in stationary conditions, where oxygen therapy has to be resorted to.

In addition to the above drugs, the following are introduced into the general treatment regimen:

• Bronchodilators - eufillin, b-adrenergic agonists (Salbutamol, Berotek, Berodual, Astmopent), which are administered parenterally or by inhalation to expand the lumen of the bronchi by relieving smooth muscle spasm;
• Topical corticosteroids - Bekotid, Belomet, Flixotide, Ingacort, Pulmicort, Ketotifen;
• Parenteral administration of hormonal agents - Dexamethasone, Prednisolone.

Basic principles of treatment of chronic and recurrent bronchitis in children

Recurrent bronchitis in babies does not have clearly defined clinical signs of obstruction or bronchospasm, its clinic is very similar to acute simple bronchitis, only the duration lasts up to 2-3 months. This diagnosis is made if the disease recurs more than 3-4 times a year for 2 years. Most often, recurrent bronchitis affects children aged 4-7 years.

Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis or frequent relapses acute bronchitis treatment follows the same pattern as the treatment of simple uncomplicated bronchitis. However, great emphasis has to be placed on supporting the immune system, for which immunotropic drugs are introduced into the general treatment regimen, the choice of which is quite large. By the way, they are also used to prevent bronchitis in children.

Main groups immunotropic drugs the following:

• plant origin - Immunal (with echinocea), Echinacea Dr. Theiss, Manax, Maximun, Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Chinese lemongrass, Levzeya, Hawthorn;
• bacterial origin, containing safe bacterial enzymes of streptococci, pneumococci, staphylococci and other pathogens - Bronchomunal, nasal spray IRS-19, Ribomunil, Imudon, Ruzam, Prodigiosan, Pyrogenal;
• with nucleic acids - Sodium Nucleinate, Pentoxyl, Zimozan;
• with interferon, but they are effective only at the beginning of the disease and are not suitable for the prevention of bronchitis among children - Viferon suppositories for infants, Cycloferon, Anaferon, Intron A, Reaferon;
• drugs thymus- Taktivin, Timogen, Timalin, Timotropin, Imunofan;
• biogenic immunity stimulants - Aloe, Phibs;
• based on synthetic substances - Diucifon, Levamisole, Galavit and others.

The most acceptable drug from a number of immunomodulatory drugs will be selected by the doctor. Therefore, you will first need to consult on this issue, especially since many of these drugs can be used to prevent bronchitis in a child.

Folk methods for the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis in children

A large and responsible place in the treatment of bronchitis, especially chronic ones, is occupied by folk methods of treatment using herbal preparations, decoctions, etc. Most herbs are used in expectorants. medicines, which act more gently and safely for the child than artificial synthetic agents.

To the group medicinal herbs that have an expectorant effect include anise, anise, marshmallow, oregano, elecampane, coltsfoot, plantain, licorice, thermopsis, violet and many others. They increase the activity of the bronchial glands, help the movement of sputum along the respiratory tract, and exhibit a mild irritant effect on the gastric mucosa, which causes a reflex increase in the contraction of the bronchial muscles. As a result, sputum becomes less viscous, more liquid and easier to cough up.

However, the fact that expectorant herbs contain alkaloids or saponins must be taken into account in the treatment of children so as not to harm them. These herbs and preparations made on the basis of them are forbidden to be used for children in the first months of life and those with CNS lesions. This is due to the fact that, for example, thermopsis and ipecac can lead to aspiration of bronchial contents, asphyxia and the formation of atelectasis.

But folk treatment acute bronchitis in children in most cases effectively uses herbal preparations:

• Collection coltsfoot, plantain, horsetail, primrose (1:2:3:4);
• Licorice root, marshmallow root, coltsfoot, fennel fruit (2:2:2:1);
• Thyme, sweet clover, fennel fruit, peppermint, plantain, marshmallow root, lungwort, coltsfoot (1:1:1:1:2:2:4:4);
• Ledum, oregano, alder cones, St. John's wort, sage, rowan fruits (1:1:1:2:2:3).

All these fees in the specified proportion are taken as directed by the doctor after brewing them with boiling water and infusing for 1-2 hours. Good results for easier breathing and expectoration of sputum give carrot juice with honey, juice fresh cabbage, plantain juice with honey, infusion of marshmallow root and infusion of linden flowers.

But first of all, the child needs to be given warm milk with Borjomi, with the addition of soda and honey. And then it will be great if the child can be given soda inhalations to help sputum come out of the bronchi more easily.

The main thing is not to panic if a child develops bronchitis, and you already know to some extent what to do in this situation and the principles of treatment. And what exactly to take during treatment, the district pediatrician will recommend to you.

Parents need to be very vigilant and watch their child after the course of treatment. If a child has a fever again after bronchitis, if a cough occurs, and shortness of breath joins it, skin retraction becomes noticeable on inspiration in the intercostal spaces, then these signs may indicate the appearance of severe complications, for example, bronchiolitis or pneumonia, due to incomplete treated bronchitis. In this case, you should not hesitate, do not wait for the arrival of the local doctor, but urgently call for help. ambulance and take the child to the hospital.