It is ordinarily caused by a viral infection of the bronchi, resulting in swelling and more mucus than usual. This causes a cough, and sometimes pain which is felt in the throat or upper chest when the child coughs.
Children who are often breathed tobacco smoke are more at risk of getting colds and developing bronchitis. The chemicals in tobacco smoke irritate the eyes, nose and air passages.
Some typical signs and symptoms of bronchitis in children:
- Runny nose, sore throat
- Breathing difficulties
- Cough
- Decreased feeding
- Irritability
- Apnoeas in the very young
- Wheeze or crepitations on auscultation
- Children usually recover from bronchitis in 5 to 10 days.
- Some children keep getting attacks of bronchitis or can get chronic (long lasting) bronchitis. This can be due to allergies, someone smoking around them or to other problems in the lungs.
Apart from these main signs, doctors will need to carry out some examination to determine your children have bronchitis or not. The tests include:
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your child's lungs and heart. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection, such as pneumonia. Chest x-rays may also show fluid around your child's heart and lungs.
If the child does not start to get better within some days, or commences to become sicker, visit a health practitioner to get help.
