For some, the winter holidays are the time for sledding, skiing, snowballs and ice skating. However, for many children, this is a period when the risk of getting sick increases, a runny nose, cough, fever appear. And if a simple acute respiratory viral infection or acute respiratory infections do not pose a particular danger to the baby, then bronchitis is a serious disease that can lead to the development of pneumonia - the main cause of death of children under the age of 4 years. Therefore, we begin our article with a warning: if your child has had a fever, cough and runny nose for several days, call a doctor. So, the doctor told you that the child has bronchitis. How to treat this disease? The doctor will also tell you about this, based on the age and condition of the patient. We will give general information.
First of all, let's see what happens in the body when a child has bronchitis? What to treat - a little later.
Bronchitis is the formation of sputum (mucus) in the inflamed bronchi. The mucus comes out in the form of a runny nose, which the baby blows out, and sputum clears its throat. That is, if the child has stopped coughing , the inflammation has passed.
What causes bronchitis?
1. Infection (virus, bacterium, or both at once).
2. Allergens.
3. Harmful substances (exhaust gases, cigarette smoke).
Therefore, the reason that a child has frequent bronchitis may be inappropriate living conditions. If you change them, for example, to move from an area where an allergen blooms, the disease may no longer return.
Also, this disease is classified by the duration of the course:
1. Acute bronchitis - 10-20 days.
2. Recurrent - three times a year or more.
3. Chronic - three months or more every 1-2 years.
Before proceeding to the consideration of the question: "What should I do? The child has bronchitis!" - note the main symptoms of this disease:
1. Wheezing is a clear sign of so-called obstructive bronchitis.
2. Most often, everything begins with a runny nose and cough, then suddenly the temperature rises (up to 38.5-39 ° C).
3. "Gurgling" wheezing when inhaling and exhaling or hard breathing.
Only a doctor can distinguish rhinopharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx and nasal mucosa) from bronchitis and pneumonia. He listens to the lungs and taps his chest with his fingers to assess the condition of the lung tissue. Therefore, do not make the diagnosis yourself.
If the diagnosis of bronchitis in a child is confirmed, how to treat it depends entirely on the nature of the disease: a virus, a bacterium, or both at the same time. In the last two cases, the basis of treatment is antibiotics. Be sure to take a blood test, the results of which will give an idea of the cause of the disease. If bronchitis recurs, an analysis is carried out - sputum culture.
Viral bronchitis is much easier, sputum is transparent and slightly yellow. Sometimes without treatment, the disease comes to naught. With a bacterial form, there is pus in the sputum, the baby is weak and may refuse to eat. If the child is not treated, this condition lasts a very long time. Therefore, while maintaining an elevated temperature and severe cough on the third day, antibiotics are started. If in the sputum of the baby you notice traces of blood - tell the doctor about it! This can be a symptom of a serious lung disease.
So, the diagnosis of bronchitis in a child is made. How to treat and how?
1. Provide humidity in the room. It is better to buy a modern humidifier, but if there is no such possibility, hang wet towels on all batteries.
2. Do not feed the baby if he does not want.
3. Give your baby as much fluid as possible. Everything will do: tea, water, juice, compote ... This will help thin the sputum.
4. Do not bring down the temperature to 38 degrees - it helps the body in the fight against viruses.
5. Take antibiotics only as directed by your doctor.
6. If antibiotics are taken for more than 5 days, give your child any remedy for the prevention of dysbiosis.
7. Do not give cough medicine without a doctor’s recommendation! Yes, do not be surprised! Mucolytics are prescribed only for severe illness, and children under two years of age are completely contraindicated.
8. Inhalation. The type of this procedure (steam, oil, etc.) will be prescribed by a doctor.