Causes and symptoms of bronchitis in a child

Today, bronchitis is considered to be one of the most common diseases of the lower respiratory tract. In addition, such a disease is often affected by children. That's why all parents are interested in what are the main causes and the first symptoms of bronchitis in a child. After all, timely provided medical care can save you from a lot of possible complications.

What is bronchitis and what are its causes?

Of course, before you know what are the main symptoms of bronchitis in a child, it is worthwhile to understand what a similar disease is and why it occurs.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, which is accompanied by their edema and, consequently, shortness of breath, as well as the appearance of a thick, hard-to-go sputum.

In most cases, the cause of the inflammatory process is a viral infection that penetrates the respiratory tract from the nasopharynx. In addition, the symptoms of bronchitis in a child may appear against the background of activation of bacterial microorganisms - this form of the disease is accompanied by more pronounced and at the same time dangerous symptoms.

In some cases, the cause is pathogenic fungi, but fortunately, this phenomenon is extremely rare. It should be noted that the bronchitis of fungal origin is extremely difficult and poorly treatable.

Risk factors include immune system weakening, hypothermia, indoor dampness, chronic diseases, runny nose and nasopharynx infections.

The main symptoms of bronchitis in a child

Signs of the disease directly depend on the nature of the infection, as well as the characteristics of the organism of a small patient. Nevertheless, at the initial stages, you can see the main symptoms of intoxication - it is weakness, drowsiness, aching muscles. Quite often there is an increased temperature in children with bronchitis.

Along with this, there is a cough - at the initial stages it is dry, sometimes even suffocating. In some cases, the child wakes up at night from an acute attack. But, as a rule, after a few days the condition of the baby improves, as it facilitates the phlegm withdrawal. Symptoms of the disease can also include shortness of breath.

It is extremely important to show the child to the doctor immediately after the onset of the first symptoms. In any case, do not engage in self-treatment, since the risk of a recurrence can not be ruled out. In turn, recurrent bronchitis in children can lead to obstruction of the airways, asthma and other complications.

How to treat bronchitis?

Only the doctor after the examination and the necessary research will be able to choose the right treatment. After all, therapy here depends on the intensity of the symptoms and the general condition of the child.

With a mild form of bronchitis, as a rule, only bed rest, warming drink and taking antipyretics are sufficient. In some cases, doctors also prescribe expectorants to relieve the condition of the baby. Useful warming ointments and warm foot baths with mustard. Experts recommend the intake of vitamins and some immunomodulators, especially if the disease is caused by a viral infection. With bronchitis of bacterial origin, antibiotics are sometimes used.