Not all children can easily get over bronchitis and recover quickly, without complications. To competently help your child get rid of the disease, you need to understand how to treat bronchitis in children at home, what you can and cannot do. We devoted our article to this topic.

From this article you will learn

Types of bronchitis

In medicine, there are several classifications of bronchitis. The disease is divided into types according to the provoking factor, severity, duration of treatment and localization of the secretion. Let's look at each of them in detail.

According to the causative agent of the disease

• Viral. Caused by influenza germs, adenoviruses. It is a complication of ARVI.
• Bacterial. It develops rapidly against the background of infection as a result of pathological bacteria, various cocci, pertussis and hemophilus influenzae entering the child's body by airborne droplets. Usually starts as a cold due to being cold.
• . It is a complication when allergens (dust, wool, plant pollen) enter the bronchi and blood. Characteristic for children with a genetic predisposition to asthma, atopic dermatitis, infantile diathesis, food and other allergies.

Note! Viral and bacterial bronchitis are contagious and can be transmitted through saliva through the air. When sneezing and coughing, pathogenic germs spread up to 10 meters from the patient. If there are babies in the house, and an older child or adult catches bronchitis, be sure to isolate the contagious family member from others in a separate room.

By duration of symptoms

• Spicy. The disease lasts 10–14 days and can rise to 37.5–38°C. A cough accompanies the baby throughout the entire course of treatment, changing from dry to wet.
• Chronic (repeated). The cause of the chronic form is a tendency to allergies and untreated acute bronchitis. The child will be sick for a long time, cough for a long time (at least a month), and become infected 2-3 times a year.

Note! If every cold in a child turns into bronchitis, we are talking about a chronic form of the disease. Pay special attention to this fact, since chronic bronchitis is the first step to asthma.

According to the severity of the disease

• Simple. It got this name because it is the most uncomplicated form of bronchitis. The cough almost immediately becomes wet, the child recovers in 5–10 days.
• Obstructive. It is completely cured in 14–21 days. The child is breathing heavily, there may be asphyxia, the sputum is viscous and it is difficult to cough up. Due to obstruction, wheezing and whistling are clearly audible in the patient’s chest.
• Protracted (obliterating). The most severe degree of bronchitis. The bronchioles are affected, and respiratory failure develops.

Note! The obstructive form is characterized by rapid inhalation and exhalation during sleep if the baby lies on his back. If you have difficulty breathing and sticky sputum, it is better to sleep on your stomach or lower your head low, curled up.

According to the localization of sputum, the multiplying family of viruses and bacteria

• Tracheobronchitis. Inflammation is concentrated in the bronchi and trachea. Sputum is cleared well after 4–7 days from the start of treatment. Residual cough may persist for another 7–10 days. It's not dangerous.
• Bronchiolitis. The baby suffers from wheezing, shortness of breath, and a hard cough for a long time. Viruses and bacteria penetrate deep into the respiratory system. With bronchiolitis, a child may moan in his sleep, wheeze, wake up from a lack of oxygen, and the temperature rises to febrile levels.

Watch Dr. Komarovsky’s video about what bronchitis is and what its features are:

Causes of the disease

The main culprits of bronchial inflammation in young children are the physiological characteristics of the structure of the respiratory system and weak immunity. Bilateral inflammation quickly develops, the disease progresses to pneumonia.

Important! It is possible to determine that bronchitis has provoked pneumonia by external signs and clinical manifestations. Pneumonia is characterized by: shortness of breath, chest pain, bluish skin in infants, hyperthermia above 38°C for more than 3 days, abdominal breathing, deep and frequent wet cough.

Another cause of bronchitis in children, especially kindergarten age, from 2 to 3 years old, is infection from a sick adult of the same age. In children prone to allergies, a wet cough and inflammation in the bronchi are caused by irritating substances (household chemicals, dust, tobacco smoke).

Chronic forms, turning into asthmatic, affect premature babies, children with birth injuries and defects of the respiratory system (adenoids, atypical structure of the nasal septum).

Acute bronchitis of a bacterial nature occurs as a complication of tonsillitis, sinusitis. With a sore throat, mucus from the nose, ears, and throat descends down the larynx and lingers in the trachea and bronchi. Pathogenic microbes multiply on this part of the mucosa.

According to WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, bronchitis is diagnosed 50–60% more often in autumn and winter, during influenza epidemics, in children attending kindergartens. The recurrent (advanced) form of the disease is typical for children from dysfunctional families, where the child is not provided with favorable conditions for recovery.

It is often impossible to clearly determine the culprit of the inflammatory process. Differential causes affect the child’s body in the aggregate.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of bronchial inflammation in young children depend on the type of illness. Bacterial and viral bronchitis begin like a common cold and gradually become more severe. The allergy progresses smoothly, the symptoms are the same throughout the entire period of the disease.

Symptoms of simple acute bronchitis

• The incubation period lasts from 3 to 5 days after infection. At this time, the child experiences weakness, headache, and loss of appetite.
• 3-5 days dry cough, then wet.
• Vomit.
• Barking cough when the larynx is affected.
• Runny nose, green discharge.
• Hyperthermia up to 38°C for a bacterial infection, up to 39°C for a viral infection.
• Wheezing and gurgling are heard in the chest as the phlegm liquefies.
• Greenish sputum with a bacterial type, white, transparent - with a viral type.
• Conjunctivitis.
• If the disease is started or treated incorrectly, bronchitis will develop into pneumonia, bronchiolitis.
• Damage to the bronchi can be unilateral or bilateral.

The viral form goes away in a week to 10 days, but sometimes children begin to cough and have a fever after a short time. This suggests that a bacterial infection has joined the viral infection. The disease has started again, now you need to use it. Treatment for a bacterial infection lasts from 10 to 20 days.

The main symptom of acute bronchitis in children is cough. But sometimes the disease occurs without coughing or sore throat. Atypical pathogenesis is observed. But an accumulation of pathological sputum is present in the bronchi, a whistling sound is heard in the child’s chest, and the baby may snore in his sleep. The inability or unwillingness to clear your throat is a bad sign. This is the main sign of complications: pneumonia, destructive bronchitis with damage to the walls of the respiratory organs.

If, after curing bronchitis, the child continues to cough for several more months, wheezing and whistling persist, we are talking about basal inflammation of the bronchi. Microbes are localized in an atypical place. It is very difficult to recognize this type of bronchitis; listening to the chest and taking tests is not enough; tomography and x-rays are required.

Symptoms of allergic bronchitis

Allergens irritate the mucous membrane and bronchi, causing swelling. The temperature with this type of inflammation may not rise, but it is difficult for the child to breathe. Additionally, the patient experiences the following unpleasant symptoms:

• rhinitis. Snot is transparent, liquid;
• itching on the skin, in the nose;
• dry cough, difficult to turn into wet;
• dyspnea;
• asphyxia;
• attacks of vomiting against a background of coughing;
• weakness, loss of appetite;
• drowsiness;
• sweating

Important! Allergic bronchitis cannot be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs. It is necessary to use antihistamines, and in severe cases, hormonal drugs.

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis

This type of inflammation occurs against the background of viral and allergic forms of bronchitis. Obstruction is a narrowing of the passages in the respiratory system due to swelling of the mucous membrane. This condition is characterized by the following symptoms:

• The temperature may not rise or remain at 37°C for 2–3 days.
• It occurs suddenly if the baby has been in contact with allergens.
• Coughing attacks provoke vomiting.
• Breathing is hoarse, protracted, deep.
• When shortness of breath, the child breathes with his stomach, retracts the intercostal muscles while inhaling, and the chest swells.
• The doctor and parents hear wheezing and whistling.

Diagnostics

First of all, the pediatrician must identify the cause of the disease, determine the type of bronchitis: simple or obstructive - and the etiology: viral, bacterial, allergic. The conclusion is made based on examination, listening to the chest, interviewing parents, blood, urine and sputum tests.

For a bacterial infection, the CBC shows:

• increase in the number of leukocytes;
• increased ESR.

With a viral infection, the following changes are observed in the blood:

• reduced or normal number of white blood cells;
• increase in the number of lymphocytes.

Allergic bronchitis is characterized by the following indicators:

• increased number of eosinophils;
• other indicators are normal.

To diagnose bronchiolitis and pneumonia, X-rays, bronchoscopy, and computed tomography are used. An X-ray shows not only hidden inflammation in the lungs, but also what changes in the bronchi look like.

You can look for the causative agent of the disease through analysis of the composition of sputum. This:

• PCR analysis;
• bac sowing

Note! Typically, doctors use a certain standard to diagnose bronchitis. Parents may insist on ordering additional tests if pneumonia is suspected or the child does not tolerate medications well. The pediatrician has no right to refuse.

Basic principles of treatment

It is impossible to do without drug therapy and regular doctor’s examinations for bronchitis. A simple acute type of inflammation requires complex treatment. The main goal of doctors and parents is to overcome the infection, that is, get rid of bacteria or viruses, and free the bronchi from phlegm. To solve these interrelated problems, it is important to follow the principles of treating bronchitis in children:

1. Provide the child with peace and adherence to the daily routine.
2. Increase the amount of drinking. About 2–3 times the usual norms.
3. Ventilate the room at least 4 times a day. Make sure that the air does not cool below 18–19°C.
4. Follow a light diet. Avoid fatty, fried and sweet foods. Include plant and dairy foods in your diet, and cook light broths. In case of allergic bronchitis, remove food intolerable to the patient.
5. Give antipyretics at temperatures above 38.5°C, if there is a tendency to convulsions - from 37.5°C. Can be replaced by rubbing with water.
6. At the initial stage of treatment, use antiviral therapy; use antibiotics if a bacterial infection occurs.
7. Boost immunity with interferons.
8. Liquefy mucus with inhalations, syrups, and herbal infusions.
9. For a severe cough that provokes vomiting, use antitussive syrups - “Libexin”, “Stoptussin”.
10. Eliminate dry cough with the help of natural medicines - “Gerbion”, “Prospan”.
11. Use expectorants: Lazolvan, bromhexine, mucaltin.
12. Allergic bronchitis is treated with antihistamines: Fenistil, Zodak, Zyrtec.
13. Use drainage massage for wet coughs to facilitate sputum discharge. Allowed from any age.
14. Do breathing exercises.
15. It is prohibited to use mustard plasters and cups to warm the chest. It is better to apply rubbing with warming ointments (Doctor Mom, Badger) at night, and steam your feet with herbs or dry mustard if there is no fever.

Simple acute bronchitis does not require hospitalization unless the doctor suspects bronchiolitis, an obstructive form of inflammation and pneumonia. Bronchitis can be dealt with without complications at home by being observed in a clinic.

Mothers with infants and weakened children six months and older definitely need to go to the hospital; they have a high risk of developing pneumonia and obstruction. The course of treatment in the hospital lasts 7–10 days; if the therapy is carried out correctly, the symptoms will completely disappear during this time.

Treatment

The therapeutic course for bronchitis cannot be prescribed independently. This is fraught with complications and even death in children under two years of age. For appointments, you need to contact your pediatrician, if necessary, see an otolaryngologist.

A pulmonologist is involved in the treatment of bronchitis if the disease develops into pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and observes children in the hospital. In case of allergic bronchitis, the pediatrician must consult with an allergist-immunologist to draw up the correct course of therapy; in case of a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, the help of an infectious disease specialist may be required.

Treatment methods and a list of drugs for therapy determine the signs of bronchitis in a child. Typically, the list of medications includes a set of medications to relieve cough, thin and remove sputum, relieve fever, antiviral and antimicrobial. Tablets, syrups, suspensions are taken according to the instructions, observing the dosage. Here is a short list of the most effective and safest medications for babies.

Antipyretics

These are suppositories and syrups for newborns, tablets from 2–3 years.

• "Cefekon";
• "Nurofen";
• paracetamol;
• "Ibuklin Junior".

Note! Infants need to check their temperature every 30–60 minutes if it approaches a critical level. Fever can develop quickly.

Antiviral

Indicated for all children at the initial stage of development of the disease, mandatory for viral bronchitis.

• "Arbidol";
• "Anaferon";
• “Interferon;
• "Laferobion";
• "Alfarona".

Antibiotics

Indicated for bacterial, chlamydial, streptococcal, pneumococcal bronchitis.

• "Azithromycin";
• "Zinnat";
• "Sumamed";
• "Flemoxin Solutab";
• "Amoxicillin";
• "Amoxiclav";
• "Ceftriaxone".

Antihistamines

• "Zodak";
• "Zyrtec";
• "Fenistil";
• "L-Cet";
• "Suprastin";
• "Diazolin".

To thin mucus

Syrups, inhalation solutions, and tablets are used.

• Bromhexine;
• "Lazolvan";
• "Ambrobene";
• “Libexin.

Expectorants

They remove phlegm, strengthening the work of the bronchial muscles.

• "Mukosol";
• "Erespal";
• "Prospan";
• "Gerbion";
• licorice syrup;
• "Bronholitin."

To relieve obstruction

They widen the air passage and relieve bronchospasm.

• "Ascoril";
• Teopek;
• "Eufillin";
• "Berodual."

Antispasmodics

Relieves bronchospasm, restores the frequency and rhythm of breathing.

• papaverine (children from 4 years old can be injected intravenously, suppositories can be used from six months);
• "No-shpa";
• "Drotaverine".

Preparations for inhalation

They thin sputum, enhance the effect of antibiotics, and strengthen the immune system.

• "Pulmicort";
• "Ambrobene";
• "Lazolvan."

Immunomodulators

They help to recover from illness and develop immunity to viruses.

• "Immunal";
• "Viferon";
• "Interferon".

To restore intestinal microflora

It should be taken during antimicrobial therapy, from the first day of antibiotic treatment, if diarrhea begins 2-3 weeks after recovery.

• Lactobacterin;
• Bifidumbacterin;
• "Linex".

Here is what pediatrician Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky says about methods of treating bronchitis:

Are antibiotics needed?

The opinion that treatment of bronchitis in children cannot be carried out without antibiotics is erroneous. Specific indications are required for prescribing antimicrobial drugs. This:

• The baby has a high temperature for more than 4 days.
• The baby is severely intoxicated.
• Diagnosed with bacterial bronchitis.
• Sputum descends to the lower parts of the respiratory system.
• After a course of antiviral drugs, there was an improvement, but after a few days the temperature rose again, the signs of bronchitis returned.

Antibiotics are taken in the form of tablets (after 2 years), in syrup, or as injections. Injections are required for severe infection, given every 12 hours; young children must be observed in a hospital. If there is no positive effect from taking antimicrobial agents after 3–5 days (the baby does not eat, does not sleep, constantly coughs, continues to choke, has a fever), the medicine must be changed to another. The course of treatment with antibiotics lasts 7 days, for chronic bronchitis - 14 days.

Important! With the advent of a large selection of electronic inhalers (nebulizers) for home use in pharmacies, doctors are increasingly prescribing antibiotics through inhalation of drug vapors. This method is less dangerous for the microflora of babies and more effective.

Supportive treatments

Inhalations and physical procedures cannot be used as a full course of treatment. Combine doctor's recommendations for home therapy and grandmother's advice with medications.

It will be possible to cure bronchitis faster and more effectively if you use the following auxiliary procedures to remove mucus and eliminate families of bacteria in the bronchi and larynx:

• Electrophoresis. Children are prescribed an average of 5 physiotherapy sessions over 10 days. Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antiviral drugs are administered through the skin using a low-power current.
• . Drainage is most effective. After kneading the skin on the back and chest and tapping, you need to clear your throat. It is useful to tickle a child, jump on a trampoline, and run.
• Mustard plasters. According to Dr. Komarovsky, placing mustard plasters or a warming alcohol compress on a child’s chest is ineffective and even dangerous. Even newborns can steam their feet and rub them with ointments containing menthol and badger fat.
• Inhalations. You can breathe through a nebulizer with Ambrobene, saline and saline solutions. The procedures relieve coughing and relieve hoarseness. It is prohibited to use hot steam inhalations at high temperatures.
• UHF. Helps relieve spasm in the respiratory tract, eliminate inflammation of the larynx, and restore a hoarse voice.
• Magnetotherapy. Necessary for the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis. The functioning of the bronchi and lungs improves with constant coughing. Used as a preventive measure for frequent ARVI and colds.
• Blue lamp. It has been used for the treatment of inflammatory processes since Soviet times. The procedure helps to liquefy sputum and resolve infiltrates. Do not use if the child has skin lesions.
• Homeopathy. It can be given to children from 2-3 years old; you need to look at the instructions for the drug. For a strong wet cough, take ipecac, and for a dry cough, take aconite.
• Folk recipes. Breast preparations, milk with honey and soda, steam inhalations with chamomile and string, compresses with sunflower oil and honey on the chest help to remove and liquefy sputum. Instead of tea or compotes, prepare a decoction of thyme and let your child drink a small glass 3 times a day.
• Walking and hardening. Take your baby for walks every day once the temperature returns to normal. In the summer, you can stay outside for an hour, an hour and a half, in the winter – 2 times for 20–30 minutes.

Child care

Following simple rules for caring for a small patient contributes to a faster recovery:

• Arrange bed rest for the patient. The child should lie or sit in bed more in the first 2–3 days of illness. Active games are allowed when the acute period ends.
• Remove allergens (flowers, carpet, animals) away from your baby's crib.
• Don't smoke in the house.
• Place a humidifier in your bedroom and playroom. Be sure to turn it on at night and several times during the day.
• Ventilate the apartment 3-4 times a day.
• Give the patient plenty to drink. Especially if the child has a high temperature for a long time, he sweats a lot, there is vomiting and nausea, and severe intoxication.
• Establish a light vegetable and dairy diet. Food should be unsalted, non-sour and unsweetened. If, during the treatment of allergic bronchitis, the baby begins to cough again, reconsider the diet. Perhaps a product provokes swelling of the mucous membrane.
• Actively remove mucus with massages, tapping on the back, and turn the baby up to six months in his sleep.
• For apnea, asphyxia, or obstruction, call an ambulance.
• For antibiotics and drug therapy, contact your local physician as soon as possible. There is no need to wait for coughing and wheezing to go away on their own.
• According to doctors' indications, treat children in a hospital until the age of two, and on an outpatient basis after the age of three.
• Do not refuse physical treatment in the clinic and at home. Physiotherapy is a good auxiliary method for the prevention of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

What not to do

Be especially careful when treating at high temperatures. When the thermometer stays at 37°C and above, and also several days after heat exchange has normalized, you cannot do the following:

• Walk outside, especially in winter, with strong wind and rain.
• Give the baby a bath and wash his hair. It is only allowed to wash the butt and lightly wipe it when sweating heavily. Resume bathing after the end of the acute period of illness.
• Visit saunas and baths. Excess inhaled moisture during bronchitis worsens the situation, the cough will intensify. You can take a steam bath for residual coughs and to prevent colds later.
• Give expectorant medications and herbal decoctions for dry coughs.
• Do hot steam inhalations. They are generally prohibited for infants and children under three years of age due to the risk of burning the mucous membrane.
• Wrap up, warm with ointments, apply mustard plasters and make foot baths. Use these treatment measures after the temperature has normalized.
• Self-medicate. To prescribe a course of therapy, the doctor must listen to the child’s chest, obtain a transcript of laboratory tests and x-rays, and study the medical record for allergies and chronic diseases. Using medications without a doctor's advice leads to complications.
• Use multiple antibiotics and cough syrups at the same time. If the treatment does not help, the pediatrician will prescribe another medicine; combining medications of different groups and directions of action is dangerous.

Prevention

To prevent bronchial inflammation in young children, it is important to promptly identify predisposition to diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. If your one-year-old baby often suffers from colds, go to the sea, to a sanatorium where the air is clean and humid. For preventive sanatorium treatment, you will need a medical history of the child; the doctor must know how many times a year the baby gets ARVI, how the symptoms manifest themselves.

Protect your kids from passive smoking and hypothermia, and fill your children's diet with vitamins. Children who are often sick should be vaccinated against bronchitis. It has been on the mandatory vaccination list since 2014. Protects the child from pneumonia and airborne infections.

Lead a healthy lifestyle. For one-year-old children, hardening with dousing with cool water, sports from 2–3 years old, and breathing exercises from any age are recommended. You need to strengthen your immune system from birth.

Note! Pay attention to the psychosomatics of bronchitis. According to experts, chronic bronchitis in children two years old and older occurs due to grievances, emotional discomfort, and fear of being alone.

Answers to frequently asked questions

How to relieve a child's cough at night

You can relieve an attack of night cough in a child with inflammation of the bronchi by drinking warm drinks or inhaling saline, if the baby does not cry. Be sure to sit the baby down, calm him down, give him milk (it needs to be slightly warmed up). Night cough can be characterized by whooping cough and bronchial asthma. It is difficult to distinguish the conditions on your own; seek help from a doctor.

What to do if your child snores

The cause of snoring may be dried mucus in the nasal passage or residual phlegm in the bronchi. If your baby feels well and is active, clean your nose with sea water before bed and do a drainage massage to quickly cough up secretions from the bronchi.

Why does a child have a stomach ache with bronchitis?

These are the consequences of disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract due to an infection or virus, taking medications, or herbal infusions. Stomach pain is more common in infants and kindergarteners. Cravings in the navel area and diarrhea are sometimes observed after the initial use of antibiotics. To restore the intestinal microflora, you need to drink Linex and Lactobacterin.

What to do if your child sweats a lot

Excessive sweating is characteristic of a viral infection. Sweat removes toxins, helping the body heal. It is very important to drink more to restore internal water balance. Children may also sweat due to taking strong antibiotics.

Why does a child have bad breath with bronchitis?

With inflammation of the bronchi and rhinitis, children breathe through the mouth, the mucous membrane dries out, and bad breath appears. Another source of bad breath is phlegm. This symptom is typical for adenoids, tonsillitis, and sinusitis. The defect will go away after complete recovery.

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Last article updated: 05/03/2018

Respiratory diseases are quite common in children. Of all respiratory diseases in childhood, 50% is acute bronchitis. Bronchitis is manifested by inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, which occurs for various reasons. The peak of bronchitis falls in the spring-autumn and winter seasons, which is directly related to weather conditions and outbreaks of acute respiratory viral infections at this time. A child of any age can get bronchitis. Children at an early age (from birth to 3 years) get sick much more often. The main manifestations of bronchitis are cough (dry or wet), fever and wheezing in the bronchi.

Local pediatrician

1. Acute simple bronchitis.
2. Acute obstructive bronchitis.
3. Bronchiolitis.
4. Recurrent obstructive bronchitis.
5. Chronic bronchitis.
6. Allergic bronchitis.

According to the duration of the disease, bronchitis is divided into acute, recurrent and chronic.

Causes of bronchitis in children

Depending on the cause, viral, bacterial and allergic bronchitis is divided.

Among the viruses, the culprits of bronchitis are most often parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and mycoplasma.

Among the bacterial pathogens are staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, and hemophilus influenzae. Bronchitis of a bacterial nature often occurs in children with chronic infection in the nasopharynx (adenoiditis, tonsillitis). However, most often the cause is opportunistic bacteria (autoflora) when the excretory and protective function of the inner lining of the bronchi is disrupted due to an acute respiratory infection.

These bacteria constantly circulate in the human body, but do not cause disease in a healthy state.

Allergic bronchitis occurs when inhaling various allergens - chemicals (detergents and perfumes), house dust, natural components (pollen), wool and waste products of pets.

Predisposing factors in the development of bronchitis are considered to be hypothermia or sudden overheating, polluted air and passive smoking. These factors are relevant for children living in big cities.

Acute simple bronchitis

Acute bronchitis in children, as a separate disease, is rare; it usually manifests itself against the background of ARVI symptoms.

Viruses attach to the inner lining of the bronchi, penetrate inside, multiply and damage it, inhibiting the protective properties of the bronchi and creating favorable conditions for bacteria to develop inflammation.

How does acute bronchitis manifest?

Usually, before the signs of bronchitis, there is an increase in body temperature, a headache and throat begins to ache, general weakness, runny nose, coughing, sore throat appear, and sometimes the voice may become hoarse, soreness and pain in the chest.

Cough is the leading symptom of bronchitis. At the beginning of the disease it is a dry cough; on days 4–8 it softens and becomes moist. It happens that children complain of discomfort or pain in the chest, which becomes stronger during coughing. These are signs of tracheobronchitis.

Children differ from adults in that they usually swallow mucus rather than spit. Therefore, it is quite difficult to determine whether it is mucous or purulent. Usually, by the second week of illness, the cough becomes moist and the body temperature drops.

For the most part, acute bronchitis is benign and recovery occurs within two weeks.

Protracted bronchitis is bronchitis whose treatment lasts more than three weeks.

How to treat acute bronchitis and cough in children?

1. Bed rest is recommended for the entire period of fever and for 2-3 days after it decreases.
2. Plenty of warm drinks are recommended.
3. Nutrition and diet for bronchitis must be complete, balanced, and enriched with vitamins.
4. Thorough wet cleaning and ventilation of the room should be carried out.
5. Antiviral drugs (Arbidol, Anaferon, Viferon) are prescribed by a doctor. Their use is effective only when started no later than 2 days from the onset of the disease.
6. For fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretic drugs are prescribed in age-specific dosages (Nurofen, Efferalgan, Tsefekon).
7. Expectorants and mucolytics are prescribed to make sputum less thick and facilitate its elimination (ACC, Ambroxol, Gerbion, Ascoril). This is the main element of treatment.
8. Antitussive drugs (Sinekod) are prescribed only for obsessive, painful cough.
9. Antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs are prescribed only to children with severe signs of allergies.
10. Alkaline inhalations (with the addition of soda or mineral water) are recommended.
11. Physiotherapy for acute bronchitis in a clinic is rarely prescribed. In the hospital, at the height of the disease, ultraviolet radiation and UHF are prescribed to the chest. After the exacerbation subsides, diadynamic currents (DDT) and electrophoresis are prescribed.

Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for the treatment of acute bronchitis.

Prescription of antibiotics is indicated:

• children under one year old with moderate and severe disease;
• if the temperature is above 38.5˚Ϲ lasts 3 days.

The bacterial drug is taken strictly following the doctor’s prescriptions and age-specific dosages.

Caring for a child with bronchitis

A sick child needs the care and concern of loving relatives who are ready to unquestioningly carry out the doctor’s orders and provide the necessary conditions for recovery.

After an exacerbation, it is useful to undergo rehabilitation treatment at least once a year in a sanatorium in your region.

Outside of exacerbation in the summer, resort treatment in sanatoriums on the southern coast (Crimea, Anapa) is useful.

During the period of remission it is also important to follow a number of recommendations:

1. Provide a hypoallergenic environment at home.
2. Do therapeutic exercises and massage. Children can participate in physical education lessons as part of a preparatory group.
3. Identify and treat foci of chronic infection.
4. Herbal medicine and immunomodulator courses.
5. Morning exercises, hardening, going out into nature on weekends, preferably outside the city.

With proper treatment, most patients get better or get sick much less often. In some children, the disease develops into allergic obstructive bronchitis or.

Aspiration bronchitis

This type of bronchitis develops due to fluid entering the respiratory passages. This occurs when swallowing is impaired in premature babies and children with birth trauma, as well as with congenital malformations of the esophagus (narrowing of the esophagus, esophagotracheal fistulas).

Factors indicating aspiration bronchitis:

1. Bronchitis during the neonatal period.
2. Coughing attacks, wheezing. They occur during feeding or when changing body position.
3. Milk pours out through the nose.
4. An exacerbation begins without signs of acute respiratory viral infection with normal body temperature.
5. Swallowing disorders, neurological disorders in children with repeated bronchitis.

Treatment of aspiration bronchitis is to eliminate the cause of fluid entering the lumen of the child’s respiratory passages.

Recurrent obstructive bronchitis

This is bronchitis, which periodically recurs against the background of ARVI in children under 3 years of age. In some children it is the onset of bronchial asthma.

The main factor in the development of recurrent obstructive bronchitis (ROB) is bronchial hyperreactivity as a result of inflammation.

Inflammation is caused by:

• infectious factors (chlamydia, mycoplasma);
• non-infectious factors (passive smoking, physical activity).

The main links of the development mechanism include a number of factors:

1. Bronchospasm is a narrowing of the bronchi as a result of contraction of the muscles of the bronchi under the influence of an irritant.
2. Thickening of the inner lining of the bronchi due to edema.
3. Increased secretion of bronchial mucus and impaired secretion.
4. Partial or complete blockage of the bronchus with viscous mucus.

Predisposing factors for the development of ROB:

• maternal smoking during pregnancy and passive smoking;
• previous bronchiolitis;
• neuroses and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

An exacerbation develops during acute respiratory viral infection and is manifested by symptoms of obstructive bronchitis. The infection can be present in the body for several weeks and months and become more active during ARVI, manifesting itself as bronchial obstruction.

Treatment of a patient during an exacerbation is similar to the treatment of acute obstructive bronchitis.

During the period of remission, preventive anti-relapse treatment is prescribed. For this purpose, aerosol inhalations are used (Fenoterol, Berodual, Seretide). If an exacerbation is caused by physical factors (cold air, physical activity), Intal, Tailed are prescribed.

Allergic bronchitis

In children, it begins as a consequence of the inflammatory process in the bronchus when exposed to a variety of allergens. Allergens irritate the inner surface of the bronchi when inhaling, and a cough appears. This cough is called.

Allergists believe that allergic diseases cannot be cured completely, but it is possible to identify and, if possible, eliminate the allergen from the child’s environment, reduce the number of exacerbations and achieve a fairly long-term remission.

Causes leading to the development of allergic bronchitis

The leading cause of development is the entry of allergens into the child’s body through breathing.

The most common allergens:

• pollen of wild and indoor plants;
• hair and other particles of pets (feathers, food, excretions);
• chemicals used in everyday life (detergents, cosmetics, perfumes);
• house and book dust;
• medicines.

Manifestations

Allergic bronchitis manifests itself:

• persistent, paroxysmal, predominantly (at first it is, as a rule, dry, later it turns into wet);
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
• dry, wet or wheezing wheezing, which the doctor hears during auscultation;
• deterioration of condition and well-being when an allergen enters the body.

Symptoms of bronchitis can be combined with manifestations of other allergic diseases (nasal congestion, watery eyes and redness of the eyes, skin rashes).

Differences between allergic bronchitis and bronchial asthma:

1. Wheezing is heard when inhaling.
2. Bronchitis is not characterized by asthma attacks.

How to treat allergic bronchitis?

1. The main thing is to identify and eliminate exposure to the allergen.
2. Antihistamines (Suprastin, Tavegil). They can be taken in tablet form or given as injections. Eliminate or reduce the manifestations of allergies.
3. Expectorants (Bromhexine, Pertussin, Mucaltin, herbal preparations). Helps remove mucus.
4. Bronchodilators (Intal, Salbutamol). Eliminate bronchospasm, thereby making breathing easier.
5. In some cases, courses of inhaled glucocorticoids (Flixotide, Seretide) are prescribed. Eliminate inflammation and allergies.
6. ASIT. This is a specific immunotherapy that reduces the child’s sensitivity to allergens.

For the health of the child, it is important to promptly identify and eliminate the allergen from the environment, as well as to properly treat the baby, following the recommendations of the allergist.

Diagnosis of bronchitis in children

If there are complaints of coughing or difficulty breathing, the child is examined by a pediatrician. The doctor performs auscultation of the lungs, determining the presence and nature of wheezing.

After examination, if necessary, the following is prescribed:

• general blood test. Inflammatory changes are determined in it;
• lungs. An enhanced pulmonary pattern is visible;
• sputum culture to determine the pathogen;
• bronchoscopy.

Based on the results of the examination, a conclusion is drawn, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed at home or, if necessary, in a hospital.

Why is bronchitis dangerous in children?

If proper treatment is started on time, bronchitis does not pose a danger to children, and children recover after a few weeks.

However, in young children, due to the peculiarities of the respiratory tract, there is a risk of acute bronchitis becoming obstructive, as well as the risk of developing bronchiolitis and pneumonia (pneumonia).

In young children with obstructive bronchitis, blockage of the bronchi may occur, and the child may suffocate.

With bronchiolitis, the danger lies in the development of apnea (stopping breathing); the lack of emergency assistance leads to the death of the child.

In a child prone to allergies, recurrent obstructive bronchitis can develop into bronchial asthma.

How to quickly cure bronchitis in a child?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to quickly cure bronchitis. This disease does not go away on its own. Parents will have to try to cure the child. With simple bronchitis without complications, recovery occurs after two weeks. Exacerbations of recurrent bronchitis can last even longer - up to 2 - 3 months.

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The child coughs - the alarm “rings” in the mother’s chest. With bronchitis, the child coughs especially hard, causing parents to literally panic. Meanwhile, the signs and symptoms of bronchitis in a child are not a death sentence for his health. We will tell you in detail how to adequately treat bronchitis in children without causing complications.

Darkening in the sternum area, clearly visible on an x-ray, is an obvious “hint” of bronchitis in a child.

What kind of “beast” is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, which are part of the respiratory tract and are tubular branches of the trachea necessary for its connection with the lungs. For doctors, who are not devoid of romance, the appearance of the bronchi resembles trees with branched crowns, which at the base of the trunk are securely attached to the trachea, and the tops of the branches “bite” into the delicate tissue of the lungs.

At the junction with the trachea, the bronchi are essentially two massive hollow tubes; the deeper into the lungs, the smaller and more branched the structure of the bronchi becomes. We need this organ so that the air we inhale safely reaches the lungs.

It is no secret that in the air, no matter how clean it is, there are always all kinds of viruses, bacteria and allergens. Which rush into our body with every breath.

At any point along the way, they can “attach” to the mucous tissue, “settle” there, “take root” and begin to multiply, thereby causing an inflammatory process. If this occurs in the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx, larynx), we get diseases such as laryngitis, sinusitis, or for example or.

And it also happens that hostile viruses, microbes or allergens penetrate deeper - into the lower respiratory tract - that is, into the bronchi and the lungs themselves. In this case, inflammation usually has such scary names as bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.

We repeat: the “branches” of the bronchi resemble hollow tubes in structure. When inflammation occurs in them (to be more precise, it occurs on the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the bronchi), then this “tube,” through which air should normally flow freely into the lungs, swells greatly (and therefore narrows!).

In addition, in response to inflammation, an increased amount of mucus begins to form on the inner surface of the bronchi. To rid themselves of possible blockage, the bronchi (through contraction of the outer muscular membrane) begin to produce a kind of spasm. Doctors are able to listen for this phenomenon using a stethoscope. They usually call such contractions in the bronchi “bronchospasm.”

The first thing a pediatrician does when a child is suspected of having bronchitis is to listen to his lungs.

So, three things: swelling of the bronchi, increased production of sputum in the bronchi and bronchospasms give reason to doctors, including pediatricians, to make a diagnosis of “bronchitis”. Alas, only one, but the most expressive, symptom is available to parents at home - the baby really has difficulty breathing. And especially when trying to take a deep breath.

Why is bronchitis dangerous for children?

Since bronchitis greatly reduces the patency of the airways, this disease is primarily dangerous because it impairs the ventilation of the child’s lungs. Less oxygen gets into the lungs, which means less oxygen gets into the blood. As a result, all organs and tissues of the body temporarily lack vital oxygen.

In addition, bronchitis is the most favorable condition for the development of pneumonia - that is, inflammation of the lungs. It happens something like this: due to temporary obstruction of the bronchi, the lungs are poorly ventilated. However, viruses and bacteria still penetrate there. Having settled on a section of the inner surface of the lungs, which is temporarily deprived of ventilation, the “treacherous guests” begin to instantly multiply. The inflammatory process caused by this activity is pneumonia. Alas, in children, pneumonia is one of the most common complications of bronchitis, especially if not treated correctly.

Bronchitis itself is a serious and dangerous disease, which even for adults sometimes “gives up” with difficulty. Children suffer from bronchitis even more severely - since clots of sputum accumulate deep in the bronchi, and children are almost unable to get rid of them on their own.

The fact is that the human body can remove mucus from the respiratory tract only with the help of the so-called respiratory muscles, which are still poorly developed in children under 6-7 years of age. Simply put, children can cough even at one and a half years old, but they can cough effectively only when their respiratory muscles become stronger - that is, at about the age of 6-7 years.

This explains the fact that most respiratory tract diseases, including bronchitis, are more severe and complex in children than in adults.

Bronchitis: symptoms in children

The most common and obvious symptoms of bronchitis in children are:

• High temperature, heat;
• Difficulty and “noisy” breathing;
• Rapid and not deep breathing;
• Lack of appetite;
• General weakness;
• Drowsiness;

All of the listed symptoms of bronchitis in children refer to the most common form of the disease – bronchitis caused by viruses. But in fairness, it is also worth mentioning the symptoms of bacterial bronchitis, which is much more severe than its viral “brother”.

Bacterial inflammation of the bronchi (no more than 1% of all cases of bronchitis) is different:

• Extremely serious condition of the child (often with loss of consciousness);
• Intense fever;
• Signs of intoxication (possible vomiting, headache, nervous disorders, etc.);
• Absence of a runny nose against the background of extremely difficult breathing (wheezing, coughing, etc.).

Even the slightest suspicion of bacterial inflammation of the bronchi requires immediate hospitalization of the child.

If a doctor has difficulty diagnosing bronchitis in a child, then a simple clinical blood test will definitely dispel all doubts.

Causes of bronchitis in children

In the vast majority of cases, bronchitis in children occurs against the background and is caused by the activity of viruses. There is a whole group of viruses that most often “take root” on the bronchial mucosa. It is believed that, for example, influenza viruses especially “like” to multiply on the inner surface of the bronchi, provoking the development of bronchitis. This means that your child may well get bronchitis simply by coming into contact with another child with ARVI.

It is important to understand that The occurrence of bronchitis in a child is not directly related to such factors as:

• Hypothermia (you can catch bronchitis even while sitting by a hot fireplace, if your interlocutor is a carrier, for example, of the influenza virus);
• Precedent illness of bronchitis in the past (unlike, for example, whether the child has already had bronchitis once or not yet does not play any role);
• Nasal congestion, inability to carry out nasal breathing (viruses enter the bronchi through the nose or through the mouth - it does not matter);

There is a very common myth: they say that bronchitis can develop when inflammation that began in the nose, trachea or larynx “sinks” lower. That is, bronchitis, in the eyes of ordinary people, is often a continuation of laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc. In fact, if inflammation occurs on the mucous membrane of, say, the nose or larynx, then it cannot move to any other areas.

How to treat bronchitis in children

Antibiotics are useless! No matter what parent you ask, every second person believes that treatment of bronchitis in children necessarily involves a course of antibiotics. In fact, antibiotics, even the most modern and effective ones, are completely useless in 99% of cases of bronchitis. Because, as we have already mentioned more than once, bronchitis - in 99 cases out of 100 - is a viral disease! And therefore, any antimicrobial drugs are completely helpless in the fight against it. Why then do doctors themselves often prescribe antibiotics for bronchitis in a child?

The fact is that most doctors strive in this way to prevent the occurrence of childhood pneumonia - we have already mentioned that against the background of bronchitis, pneumonia (which, unlike bronchitis, occurs due to the activity of pathogenic bacteria, not viruses) is very likely. However, such preventive antibiotic therapy is not justified.

Popular children's doctor, Dr. E. O. Komarovsky: “Prescribing antibiotics for acute viral infections, including bronchitis, does not reduce, but on the contrary, increases the likelihood of complications”

So, bronchitis in a child cannot be treated with antibiotics. But how to carry out adequate treatment of bronchitis in children?

Step 1: Drinking heavily. Drinking plenty of fluids thins the blood - this is a well-known fact. At the same time, many medical studies have proven that the density of blood and the degree of thickness of mucus on the mucous membranes are directly related. Therefore, the more liquid the child’s blood, the less dried mucus accumulates in the respiratory tract, including the bronchi.

Simply put: rather than rack your brains about how to help your baby cough up excess mucus from the bronchi, just don’t let it accumulate there and dry to the walls. The more liquid the baby drinks, the easier it is for him to breathe.

Step 2: Use antipyretics. If a child’s temperature rises rapidly and goes above 38°C, he should be given an antipyretic.

Step 3: Humid and cool climate in the room where the child lives. The drier and hotter the air that the baby breathes, the more mucus forms in his respiratory tract, and the faster it shrinks into dangerous clots. To prevent phlegm from accumulating in the bronchi, it is enough to change the climate in the children's room - ideally, the humidity should reach 65-70%, and the temperature should not exceed 21°C.

Step 4: Special massage. With bronchitis in children, mucus accumulates in the bronchi, which partially dries out, literally “sticking” to the walls of the respiratory tract. If the baby is not able to cough it up on his own, he can be helped with a special massage:

1. Place your baby on your lap (face down) so that his butt is slightly higher than his head. This tilt towards the floor is necessary to use the force of gravity - it will also help remove mucus from the bronchi.
2. Then use your fingertips to gently but firmly tap his back in the area of ​​his shoulder blades. The movements of your fingers should be slightly “raking” - as if you are trying to dig a small hole in the ground with your hand. Perform these “raking movements” strictly in one direction - “row” from the lower back to the head.
3. Then abruptly sit the child on your lap and ask him to cough.
4. These manipulations can be repeated 2-3 times in a row.

Please note that under no circumstances should massage be carried out while the patient is still hot. It is also not recommended for those children who cannot yet cough “on command.”

Step 5: Go for a walk. Obviously, with acute bronchitis, no one takes children outside for walks. And not because fresh air and sunlight are harmful to a sick child - on the contrary, he desperately needs them. It’s just that if he has a fever (high temperature) and general poor health, it’s really not easy for him to walk. But if you can organize a “half-walk” for your baby without leaving the house (dress him warmly and let him sit/lie on the balcony or veranda), this will only benefit his respiratory system. After all, in order to reduce the activity of viruses in it, fresh air is needed, banal ventilation is necessary. Which naturally occurs during a walk in the fresh air.

Parents regularly encounter respiratory diseases such as bronchitis. This is a common complication of an acute infectious condition. The disease is caused by viruses, bacteria or allergens. Let us dwell in more detail on the features of the disease, consider in what cases it is possible to treat bronchitis in children with folk remedies.

From this article you will learn

How to recognize bronchitis

The disease is an acute inflammation of the bronchi, in which the bronchial lumen narrows, which leads to obstruction. Due to functional disorders, the bronchial glands produce an increased volume of viscous sputum, which is difficult to cough up and accumulates in the bronchi. The baby is suffering from a severe non-productive cough.

Considering the mechanism of development of bronchitis, the main symptoms indicating its presence are wheezing in the chest and difficulty breathing. The pediatrician will make an accurate diagnosis after listening to the lungs with a stethoscope. Pronounced bronchitis can be heard even with the naked ear. Parents who encounter this disease regularly will immediately recognize it by its characteristic signs.

In addition to wheezing and coughing, the following may be present:

• high body temperature (38–39 degrees Celsius);
• general weakness of the body;
• lack of appetite.

There are several types of bronchitis, each of which has its own characteristics. According to the frequency and duration of the disease, they are distinguished:

1. Acute bronchitis. Most often it occurs after an acute respiratory viral infection and is accompanied by fever, runny nose, and sore throat. It always appears suddenly and develops quickly. With proper and timely treatment, complete recovery occurs in 7–10 days.
2. Recurrent bronchitis. As its name suggests, the disease often recurs. Any cold or viral disease causes inflammation of the bronchi. This type of disease is more difficult to treat than an acute one. It takes longer to heal completely.
3. . This is an independent disease in which the child is tormented by a cough for several months. It takes a long time to treat, it is difficult to achieve complete relief from chronic bronchitis, the disease constantly returns.

Another type of disease is. It is characterized by breathing problems due to bronchospasm. Allergy sufferers are more likely to suffer from obstruction. To relieve an attack of suffocation, special means are used in the form of inhalers. If a child experiences shortness of breath with bronchitis, this is a reason to immediately seek medical help.

Complications of the disease

The main danger of bronchitis is the occurrence of complications due to improper or untimely treatment. The disease must be cured in a timely manner, otherwise the following negative consequences are possible:

1. The acute form of the disease can become recurrent or chronic. To avoid this, it is necessary to pay attention to the child’s immunity. A weakened body does not resist infection well; the baby often suffers from acute respiratory viral infections and bronchitis.
2. The viral form of the disease can be joined by a bacterial one, resulting in bronchopneumonia.
3. In case of untimely and improper treatment, the pathogen descends into the lower parts of the lungs, affecting them. A serious disease of the respiratory system – pneumonia – develops. It is more difficult to treat and takes longer. Infants and one-year-old children suffer from pneumonia very hard. Their treatment is carried out in a hospital.
4. Bronchial asthma can be a complication of obstructive bronchitis. This occurs more often in children prone to allergies.

Treatment Options

The method of treating bronchitis depends on its type, the complexity of the disease, and the characteristics of the patient’s body. The following options are available:

1. Drug treatment using special drugs that help liquefy and remove mucus. For young children, syrups and inhalations with special solutions are more often used.
2. indicated if it is caused by bacteria or if there is pus and blood in the secretion.
3. Alternative medicine methods are widely used in the treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases. Folk remedies are used as monotherapy or as an addition to the main treatment.

When can you use traditional medicine methods?

You should not resort to traditional methods of treatment in the following cases:

1. Bronchitis is bacterial in nature. In this case, you cannot do without antibiotics.
2. Bronchial secretions contain pus or blood.
3. Severe course of the disease.
4. The presence of contraindications to certain types of treatment. For example, you should not rub or warm a child at high temperatures; medicinal herbs can cause an allergic reaction, etc.

In other cases, the use of traditional medicine is possible. In any case, before starting treatment, you should consult your local pediatrician.

Folk remedies for bronchitis in children

Traditional medicine offers a wide range of remedies for bronchitis, which are perfectly combined with each other or with traditional medicine. Many of them have proven their effectiveness and have been used for decades. The following groups of such funds are distinguished:

1. decoctions and tinctures;
2. warming compresses, rubbing, baths;
3. massage.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Decoctions and tinctures

Herbs for bronchitis in children are an effective remedy. For decoctions and tinctures, fruits, leaves or roots of medicinal plants are used. You can purchase a ready-made breast mixture at the pharmacy and brew it according to the instructions on the package. Or make a collection yourself at home. The table shows some recipes for decoctions and tinctures for bronchitis.

Drink based on medicinal herbs

Recipes from fruits, berries and vegetables

Important! The table can be scrolled left and right.

Softening drinks based on milk, honey, fats

Important! The table can be scrolled left and right.

Warming compresses, rubbing, baths

The main purpose of using compresses, baths and rubbing is to warm up the bronchi and limbs. This will improve blood circulation, discharge of bronchial secretions and contribute to a speedy recovery.

Important! Warming up a child with drinking, rubbing, compresses and inhalation is prohibited at elevated body temperatures.

The table shows common means.

Compresses

Important! The table can be scrolled left and right.

Rubbing

Important! The table can be scrolled left and right.

Baths

Important! The table can be scrolled left and right.

Inhalations

Inhalation is an effective method of treatment, since the active substances enter directly into the lungs. Medicines are taken using a nebulizer strictly as prescribed by the doctor. In folk medicine, inhalations can also be carried out using steam, an aroma lamp or a salt lamp. For inhalation you can use:

1. Borjomi mineral water or saline solution is poured into a nebulizer and inhaled for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the age of the child.
2. Inhalation with boiled potatoes is an old proven method that is still used today. Boil the potatoes, cover your head with a towel and inhale the warm steam.
3. The potato mixture can be replaced with a herbal decoction (chamomile, mint, linden, plantain, coltsfoot, raspberry, thyme, etc.).
4. Aromatherapy with pine tree oil helps cough well. To do this, you can use an aroma lamp or breathe over hot water with added oils.
5. You can chop cloves of garlic and place them around the room. The child will inhale the vapors of garlic, which has an antibacterial effect.
6. Halotherapy gives good results. To do this, you can attend sessions in medical institutions or buy a salt lamp. The lamp is less effective, but it is always at hand and there is no time limit for sessions.

Massage

The goal is to promote the removal of sputum through mechanical action. To do this, the child is placed on his knee, face down, and rhythmic tapping is done on the back towards the head. After the massage, the child should cough so that the sputum comes out.

This massage is simple to do, and the technique is easy for the baby’s parents to master. If you are unsure of your own abilities, you can invite a professional massage therapist. This treatment method has no contraindications and is used in children from birth.

People's rating of alternative methods of treating bronchitis

Based on reviews from parents, the top 5 folk remedies were determined:

1. black radish juice;
2. honey cakes and compresses;
3. milk-based drinks;
4. decoctions of medicinal herbs;
5. animal fats for grinding and oral administration.

1. Correct daily routine: sufficient sleep and rest, walks in the fresh air.
2. A balanced diet containing essential proteins, vitamins, and amino acids.
3. Hardening will give a good result, but the procedures must be agreed with the pediatrician, the child must be healthy.
4. Optimal indoor microclimate: ventilate the room every three hours, temperature – about 20 degrees, humidity – 65–70%. It is recommended to use a humidifier and air purifier.

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Bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchi becomes inflamed, caused by viruses or bacteria. In infants - as a complication of ARVI or upper respiratory tract diseases. It manifests itself primarily as a cough - first dry, then wet.

A pediatrician should make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. What does it consist of, and how else can parents help their child?

Features of the treatment of bronchitis in infants

In young children (up to one year old), bronchitis is dangerous because it can quickly turn from acute to chronic and even complicated by pneumonia.

The most dangerous form of bronchitis in infants is bronchiolitis - spread of inflammation to the small bronchi due to viral infection . The baby's condition worsens sharply, his shortness of breath increases and cyanosis occurs.

Under no circumstances should you hesitate to call a doctor if the baby is less than a year old or has a fever (above 38 degrees), shortness of breath, bluish lips and nails, or a severe nonproductive cough. In such a situation, immediate hospitalization is necessary.

Before the ambulance arrives, parents' help will consist of relieving cold symptoms

1. It is necessary to create optimal temperature and humidity Using heaters and humidifiers, ventilate the room by going with the child to another room.
2. If the temperature is low and there are no allergic reactions, make breathing easier crumbs can be lubricated with warming creams and ointments.
3. To soften a cough, you can hold your baby in your arms over the steam. from a container with a hot, weak salt solution (but this is only if the child does not have a fever!).
4. Let your baby drink as much as possible to avoid dehydration. . When weaning from the breast or bottle, drink pure water from a teaspoon - little by little, but often.

At the hospital, the child will be prescribed a number of medications and procedures.

• Inhalation and oxygen breathing to get rid of signs of respiratory failure.
• Preparations with interferon.
• Antihistamines to relieve swelling and avoid allergic reactions to medications.
• Rehydrants for dehydration.
• Antibiotics - only if there is a need for them. Usually Augmentin, Sumamed, Amoxiclav, Macropen, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone are prescribed.

How to treat acute bronchitis in children after one year?

Severe forms of the disease will also require hospitalization. Children older than one year can be treated on an outpatient basis for mild forms of the disease, following the regimen and doctor’s recommendations.

To successfully overcome the disease, you will need to take a number of necessary measures

• Neutralize the cause of infection - viruses, bacteria or allergens.
• Relieve puffiness respiratory tract.
• Reduce the viscosity of sputum for its better recovery.
• Relieve dry hacking cough .

Parents should know what can and should be done at home

1. The basis of treatment for bronchitis is to adhere to bed rest, and drink plenty of warm drinks every 30-40 minutes (teas, fruit drinks, herbal decoctions, boiled milk with honey and butter, Borjomi, rosehip infusion).
2. The room where the baby is located must be warm (20-220 C), but well ventilated. To maintain the required humidity of 70%, it is necessary to carry out frequent wet cleaning without chlorine-containing products, use a humidifier or wet towels on radiators. Eliminate passive smoking. Continue walking only after the fever has subsided; you can also “walk” at home, wrapping your baby in a blanket, sitting by an open window or vent for 10-15 minutes.
3. All medications are assigned exclusively individually.
4. Additional events (distracting and calming) can be used only in the absence of contraindications and discomfort in the baby. A good help in treatment will be effleurage massage and baths with decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs (in the absence of fever). Again, all this is done only in the absence of high fever and on the recommendation of a doctor!
5. During illness it is recommended adhere to a strict dairy-vegetable fortified hypoallergenic diet. Meals are fractional, food should have enough calories.

What will the doctor prescribe?

1. Medicines that relieve wet cough (may be prescribed, but not required)

• Mucolytics to thin mucus— Ambroxol (Fervex, Lazolvan), Acetylcysteine, Bromhexine; mandatory when prescribing antibiotics.
• Expectorants for removing sputum from the bronchi- Pertussin, Mucaltin, herbal products (use marshmallow, anise, elecampane, thermopsis, licorice, plantain). It is not prescribed to infants due to the possibility of a gag reflex and increased coughing.

2. Remedies for dry, non-productive cough : Stoptussin, Sinekod.

3. If necessary, broad-spectrum antibiotics . They are prescribed with caution in cases of suspected bacterial origin of the infection and in children under six months of age - to prevent pneumonia. In other cases, according to the famous pediatrician E. Komarovsky, they do not reduce, but increase the risk of various complications - allergies, dysbiosis and the formation of resistance of microorganisms to the drug.

4. Paracetamol syrups that reduce inflammation and fever - at elevated temperatures.

5. Drugs to enhance immunity and fight viruses - vitamin C, echinacea, Bronchomunal, Aflubin, Umkalor, Anaferon, products with interferon.

Pharmacy medications should be given on a schedule at the same time of day. You should not mix several medications - keep a diary and note the intake of all medications.

• Carrying out inhalations using specially designed devices - steam, oil inhaler or nebulizer. For the procedures, saline solution, mineral water, soda solution, and essential oils are used.
• Steaming the legs and rubbing them with warming ointments - if there is no fever or allergies.
• Warm compresses with sunflower oil on the back and right side of the chest. Placed in the evening when there is no temperature.
• Vibration chest massage . It is prescribed when a wet cough appears; it is not used in the acute period of the disease or during fever. The child is placed on his tummy so that his head is lower than his legs. The skin is stroked and then beaten from bottom to top towards the spine for 8-10 minutes. After the procedure, the child must clear his throat, so massage should not be given to very young children.
• Turn babies from one side to the other more often - this will cause sputum movement and a reflex cough.
• Breathing exercises : “Blow up the balloons” and “Blow out the candles.”

Obstructive bronchitis in young children, what to do?

If, during bronchitis, a significant accumulation of mucus causes blockage of the bronchi, the cough becomes hoarse, and the breathing “whistles,” then the child’s condition is already quite serious and requires urgent treatment.

The primary task is to restore bronchial patency

1. Try to calm yourself and calm your baby , since when excited, respiratory failure intensifies. Age-appropriate sedatives can be used.

2. Do not refuse hospitalization, the hospital will help your child!

• Will do inhalation using a nebulizer or ultrasonic inhaler. Obstruction is effectively and quickly relieved with a mixture of salbutamol and glucocorticoid hormones. It is possible to use mineral water, alkaline soda solution, essential oils and medicinal herbs (if there are no allergies), and drugs to thin out phlegm. Up to 2 years of age, inhalations are used only in cases where the child is not afraid of the device, does not cry or escape from his hands.
• They will let you “breathe” with humidified oxygen.
• In case of severe dehydration and intoxication Infusion therapy with intravenous bronchodilators will be prescribed.
• Will carry out medical therapy according to the basic scheme with the use of antibiotics, expectorants, antihistamines, antipyretics, immunostimulating and antiviral drugs, physiotherapy and vibration massage.

Important! Antibiotics are prescribed only for bacterial infections. In case of obstruction due to allergies or a virus, the use of antibiotics is contraindicated.

Routine, hygiene, diet, drinking plenty of fluids and additional actions of parents - breathing exercises, vibration massage to facilitate the passage of mucus, compresses - the same as for acute bronchitis.

Additional postural massage - tapping the child's back in the morning - will be useful. The baby is placed on his tummy (the head should be lower than the legs) and tapped with the ribs of the palms cupped for about 10 minutes. Then the child needs to cough.

Besides, You are allowed to walk for an hour a day, dressing for the weather , away from roads (so as not to breathe dust and exhaust fumes) and places where many children play (so as not to provoke excessive excitement).

Folk remedies for treating bronchitis in children

Rubbing can be used with baked onions and bear or badger fat , cabbage-honey cakes, steam the legs with mustard or infusions of sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, mint in water at a temperature not exceeding 40⁰C.

Prohibited methods of treatment for bronchitis in children under 2 years of age

Bronchitis in children under 2 years of age requires parents to take a balanced and responsible approach to treatment. It should be remembered that some actions can lead to a sharp deterioration in the child’s condition.

What not to do?

1. Unauthorized changes in medication dosages and carry out treatment longer than prescribed.
2. Use untested “folk remedies” , especially for infants and children with a tendency to allergic reactions. External products are tested by applying with a cotton swab or disk on the skin behind the ear or in the elbow, internal ones - on the tip of a teaspoon. In case of any negative reactions in a child, it is prohibited to use the product during the day.
3. Bathing baby in the bath . The respiratory muscles in children are immature, and the process of coughing is difficult. When steaming, clots of sputum in the bronchi “swell” even more and it becomes much more difficult to cough them up - the baby wheezes and suffocates, choking on liquid.
4. Contraindicated at elevated body temperature wrapping, rubbing with ointments with a warming effect and baths. Such procedures increase fever and can be harmful.
5. Carry out physiotherapeutic procedures during the acute period of the disease.
6. Use rubbing any warming ointment or balm, inhalation with essential oil and other products with strong odors, apply mustard plasters. In children under 2 years of age, they can lead to allergic reactions and bronchospasm.
7. Give your child up to one year of age expectorants . These drugs dilute mucus, but act only in the upper respiratory tract, not reaching the bronchi. The baby's larynx and nose are further clogged, making it even more difficult for him to breathe.
8. Give codeine-containing medications to infants.
9. Use medications in aerosol form - this can lead to a spasm of the glottis, and the baby will begin to choke.

Timely treatment will definitely give quick results, and the baby will delight you with good health and cute pranks.