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Bronchitis in young children starts as a cold with cough, runny nose, sore throat, and may progress to a dry cough, wheezing, fever, and chest pain. It is often undiagnosed, but can be treated with antibiotics or home remedies such as humidifiers and rest. Children with asthma or exposure to smoke are at higher risk.
Bronchitis in young children usually starts as a cold, and a child with bronchitis may initially show typical cold symptoms which often include a cough, runny nose, and possibly a sore throat. Over a short period of time, a bronchial cough may become more frequent and is usually dry rather than productive at first. As bronchitis progresses, the cough may become productive and may be much worse at night, often interfering with normal sleep patterns. In addition to a bad cough, a child with bronchitis may also experience wheezing, fever, and pain in the chest area due to frequent coughing effort.
Bronchitis often goes undiagnosed because parents assume their child is suffering only from the common cold. Fortunately, bronchitis typically goes away on its own after a few weeks, although a child may continue to have coughing problems for up to a month after the illness is gone. Bronchitis in young children is usually the result of a bacterial or viral infection. Children who have asthma or live in an environment where people smoke are typically much more likely to get bronchitis than other children. Severely polluted geographic areas often report more cases of bronchitis than unpolluted areas.
Doctors typically base their diagnosis of bronchitis in children on symptoms. Sometimes chest X-rays and blood tests are needed when diagnosing bronchitis to rule out problems such as pneumonia or lung infections. Antibiotics may or may not be needed to treat bronchitis depending on what caused it. If a child’s bronchitis is the result of a viral infection, antibiotics are typically not prescribed. Antibiotics may be helpful for bronchitis caused by bacterial infections.
Whether antibiotics or other medicines are prescribed to treat bronchitis in young children, there are some things parents can do at home to make their children feel more comfortable. Doctors often recommend placing humidifiers in a child’s room at night to help with the frequent cough associated with bronchitis. The added vapor in the air can help minimize coughing and help a child sleep better. Over-the-counter medications are available for children to help with cough symptoms, but it may not be wise for a parent to use them without first asking the child’s doctor because these medications are sometimes not recommended in children younger than a certain age. In general, plenty of rest, fluids, and the use of a vaporizer can shorten the duration of bronchitis in young children.
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