Bronchitis in a child 1 year old symptoms treatment. How and how to treat bronchitis in children at home: therapy with drugs, inhalations, folk remedies and other effective methods. Cough remedies

Faced with any ailment, it is important to learn about it as much as possible. Forewarned is forearmed. Having a full range of information about pathology, a person knows when to see a doctor, what symptoms to focus on, whether it is possible to get rid of health problems on their own and what complications should be prepared for.

The site provides information about various diseases, their symptoms and methods of diagnosis, directions of therapy and a specific list of drugs. Publications are created by our own using reliable scientific sources and are presented in an easy-to-understand manner.

In the first section " traditional medicine» Information materials on various medical fields are published. The second section " cold health» is dedicated to ENT topics and colds, as the most common diseases in the world. The third section "" (abbreviated as N.I.P.) - the name speaks for itself.

We wish you happy reading and stay healthy!

Sincerely, Site Administration.

A large number of visits to pediatricians are associated with symptoms of acute bronchitis in children. According to statistics, among those hospitalized for treatment with a diagnosis of "acute bronchitis in children" is 3/4 of all patients. Quite often, complications arise due to the fact that parents do not diagnose and incorrectly use folk remedies in treatment. Let's see what we're dealing with. This information will help parents understand among acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is the most common disease in children in the first years of life.

Age limits of viral etiology of acute bronchitis in children:

• In children of the first year - are determined: cytomegaloviruses, enteroviruses, herpes, respiratory syncytial viruses, rhinoviruses;
• A child of 2 years of age has influenza viruses A, B, C, parainfluenza (types 1 and 3), respiratory syncytial viruses;
• Children 3 years of age are more likely to: parainfluenza, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses;
• In children 5-8 years old - adenoviruses, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial;

Viruses as an independent cause of the disease are found in children older than 3 years of age, and in infants under three years of age, as a rule, along with bacteria.

The following criteria predispose the child's body to acute bronchitis in babies from birth to 6 years of age:

1. Narrow width airways.
2. Imperfect structure of cartilaginous structures.
3. Slow rate of excretion of mucus from the bronchi and trachea.
4. Immaturity of the cough reflex.

This is not all, but the main signs that lead to illness, especially in infants. It is necessary to understand why pathogens invade a fragile organism.

The onset of the disease is preceded by the interaction of viruses, bacteria on the air tubes of an early child, as well as the concomitance of predisposing factors. Pathogens, if local immunity is reduced, destroy the respiratory epithelium, contribute to increased secretion of exudate and the development of edema, and mucociliary clearance is disturbed.

Symptoms of simple bronchitis

Acute bronchiolitis

The disease is observed mainly in children in the first year of life. In particular, the following symptoms are observed:

1. Hyperthermia.
2. The serious condition and well-being of the child, because if left untreated, signs of respiratory failure increase rapidly: rapid breathing, it is difficult for the baby to breathe.
3. Most often, rales are heard from small-caliber bronchi. emphysema develops.

Acute obstructive bronchitis

This is acute bronchitis, in which the symptoms of bronchial obstruction predominate. It often develops in children at 2-3 years of age.

Signs:

1. Symptoms develop in the first days after infection.
2. The child has noisy wheezing with prolonged exhalation.
3. Anxiety, fear in children.
4. Appetite decreases.
5. Expiratory dyspnea, the child breathes quickly.

Diagnostics

The x-ray picture includes an increase in the pulmonary pattern in the lungs. Diagnosis is carried out to exclude pneumonia.

In the hematological analysis, minor inflammatory changes with the addition of bacterial flora. Viral infection is characterized by leukopenia.

The function of external respiration is reduced by 15-20% of the vital capacity.

Acute bronchiolitis:

1. Changes in the hemogram are characteristic of viral damage: a decrease in the number of leukocyte cells and an increase in lymphocytic ones;
2. X-ray - increased vascular pattern, atelectasis.

Diagnosis of acute obstructive bronchitis:

X-ray: horizontal course of the ribs, expansion of the fields of the lungs, increased blood supply and pulmonary pattern in the area of ​​the roots of the lungs, increased transparency.
Changes in the blood test correspond to a viral infection, with an allergic background - eosinophilia.

Differential Diagnosis

It is necessary to differentiate acute bronchitis with such diseases:

1. Pneumonia - crepitus, moist rales, increased voice trembling are detected.
2. Pertussis - persistent cough for more than 2 weeks, paroxysms of coughing with inspiratory dyspnea and possible vomiting.
3. Chronic sinusitis is discomfort in the sinuses.
4. Bronchial asthma - is determined in the process of diagnostic search.
5. GERD is a cough that occurs after eating a large amount of food, decreases with a change in body position.

Main criteria for treatment

Treatment of the child begins with the appointment of strict bed rest during the period of hyperthermia for better and faster recovery. Food intake changes: the daily volume of food should be 2/3 - 1/2 of the norm, the number of feedings in children of the first year of life is increased by one or two. Nutrition should be hypoallergenic, high-calorie, balanced in vitamins and trace elements. The volume of liquid must be increased by 1.5 times the daily requirement. Compliance with the correct regimen helps to heal the baby faster, no matter how old he is. With a viral etiology of bronchitis, sick children begin to be treated with antiviral therapy, for which the use of leukocyte interferon is recommended (the dosage depends on how old the child is and what body weight). Folk remedies often do not have the expected result and are not suitable for treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time, especially if the child is in the first year of life. He will prescribe a treatment that will soon be able to put your child on his feet.

Criteria for prescribing antibiotic therapy for acute bronchitis in children:

• the presence of symptoms of intoxication and prolonged pyrrexia (more than 3 days), especially in children 1-2 years old;
• lack of improvement after 10 days from the start of therapy;
• established bronchiolitis;
• in order to treat broncho-obstructive syndrome;
• risk of developing pneumonia.

Symptomatic treatment of catarrhal bronchitis, all doses depend on how old the children are:

1. Antipyrrhetic drugs (panadol, nurofen, analgin).
2. Antihistamines (allergic origin).
3. Preparations that facilitate sputum discharge: (mukaltin, prospan, herbion, ambroxol).
4. Against cough, only with obsessive, exhausting dry cough (glaucine).
5. UHF, EVT on the chest area, vibration massage, exercise therapy.
6. Folk remedies are represented by recipes that help relieve a child's cough: pine or coniferous infusions, they have antipyretic and expectorant effects. Herbs are very popular in the home first aid kit, they have an antiseptic and sedative effect on the air tubes. For example, fees that include: mint, chamomile, oregano, coltsfoot, linden, marshmallow, sage and plantain. Essential oils of garlic, which evaporate into the air, have a powerful disinfecting effect. Inhalation over potatoes is an old recipe used by our grandmothers. Instillation of aloe juice into the nasal passages (1-2 drops each) has proven itself. Practiced treatment with folk remedies in children of the first year of life is not recommended, a high risk of developing allergies. It is necessary to use cooking recipes with extreme caution, do not be zealous, because the effect obtained can be negative. For example, a burn of the breathing tubes may develop. It is important to help children, especially with a tormenting cough, which causes a lot of trouble and inconvenience to the baby. Also, you should not independently purchase medications, they may not be suitable, you need to take into account the history of the child.

Treatment of acute obstructive brochitis:

1. Inhalations with salbutamol, atrovent.
2. If the expected therapeutic effect does not occur, then methylxanthines (eufillin), glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone) should be used.
3. Folk remedies for the treatment of obstruction of the respiratory tubes include bee products: dead bees, propolis. But do not forget that this type of bronchitis can develop into bronchial asthma, so you need to monitor a sick child constantly.

Sick children with acute bronchiolitis should be hospitalized and treated in a hospital under the supervision of pediatric pulmonologists, since complications can later develop into disability.

Acute bronchitis can vary in severity from mild, which is treated on an outpatient basis, to severe with complications. It all depends on the individual structure of the child's body. In any case, an examination and a doctor's opinion is necessary.

Video: Bronchitis, bronchitis in children, acute bronchitis in children

Bronchitis is a pathological inflammatory process that develops in the wall of the bronchus under the action of provoking factors - viral or bacterial agents. Due to the total action of provoking factors and the emergence of favorable conditions for the further growth, reproduction and spread of microbes in the bronchial tree, bronchitis appears.

The main symptoms of the disease are the presence of intoxication of the child's body (fever, headache, nausea, lack of appetite, weakness, lethargy, apathy, drowsiness), the appearance of a dry cough, unproductive or wet with sputum and shortness of breath.

Favorable conditions for the development of the inflammatory process in the bronchi are:

• hypothermia of the body;
• malnutrition;
• lack of vitamins (hypovitaminosis, beriberi);
• decreased immunity;
• frequent acute inflammatory diseases in other organs of the child;
• exacerbation of chronic processes.

Treatment of bronchitis is reduced to the appointment of several groups of drugs, which are selected based on the action of the provoking factor (virus or bacterium) and the presence of relevant symptoms (fever, dry or wet cough and shortness of breath). Conservative treatment in conditions of improved well-being should be supplemented by physiotherapy, courses of which are carried out for another 1-2 weeks after the cessation of the main symptoms.

Also, to alleviate the condition of the child, alternative treatment is prescribed with the use of decoctions and infusions of herbs, applications on the chest area and rubbing using badger, goose or pork fat.

Conservative therapy

It is worth treating bronchitis with drugs on the first day of the onset of the disease. The choice of drugs depends on the manifestations of the disease themselves.

In the presence of high body temperature (up to 40 0 ​​C), severe symptoms of intoxication and meager manifestations of damage to the bronchial tree - a slight dry or unproductive cough with clear or whitish sputum discharge, antiviral drugs are prescribed, since presumably, according to the child's symptoms, this bronchitis was provoked viral infection.

The most effective antiviral drug in children with bronchitis is human recombinant interferon - Laferobion, which has an immunostimulating and immunomodulatory effect by stimulating an increase in the level of immunocompetent cells (mast cells, leukocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, basophils, antibodies) in the blood. It is prescribed for children up to a year at 150,000 IU 3 times a day in the form of rectal suppositories, for children from 1-2 years old, 500,000 IU 3-4 times a day. It is best to treat with this drug for 3 to 5 days.

If there is a slight body temperature, a relatively good and active condition of the child, along with severe symptoms of bronchial tree damage, which are characterized by an intense cough with yellow or greenish viscous sputum with an unpleasant odor and shortness of breath, they indicate the presence of bronchitis of a bacterial nature and in this case antibiotics are prescribed wide spectrum of activity.

Azithromycin (Sumamed) is the drug of choice for bacterial bronchitis, as it is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and additionally affects protozoal and intracellular infection. The drug is available in tablets and syrup, which allows it to be prescribed even to infants. It is necessary to take the medicine 1 time per day. Treat with the drug for no more than 3 days.

Bronchitis in a child is often accompanied by severe manifestations of intoxication, which can be stopped and help to improve well-being such drugs as:

Ibuprofen (Nurofen), which has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is prescribed for children under 2 years old in rectal suppositories, 1 suppository 2 times a day, for children from birth and up to 12 years old in syrup:

For children over 12 years of age, chewable tablets or capsules. It is allowed to treat with this drug for no more than 7 days.

Children's paracetamol (Panadol) has an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect, improves the well-being of a child with bronchitis. It is prescribed in drops, rectal suppositories and syrup for children under 12 years old, over 12 years old in capsules. This remedy must be taken 3-6 times a day. You can treat the drug for no more than a week.

Citrulline malate (Stimol) is a general tonic that has detoxifying activity and normalizes metabolic processes in the child's body. It is prescribed 1 sachet, which must first be dissolved in ½ cup of boiled water, taken 2 times a day for 10 days.

In order to relieve cough and improve sputum discharge, mucolytic drugs are prescribed.

Mucolytic drugs are prescribed when a child has a dry or wet cough. Cough is a reflex to foreign bodies (dust, pollen, food, water) entering the bronchi or excessive accumulation of mucus (sputum) in them. The drugs eliminate cough by acting on the cough center in the brain, as well as by thinning sputum and stimulating the motor activity of cilia on the surface of the bronchial epithelium, which additionally helps to clear the lumen. The cough first becomes unproductive, then productive, and after 5-7 days of taking the drugs completely disappears.

Ambroxol (Ambrobene, Flavamed, Lazolvan) in drops and syrup are prescribed from 1 year old, in tablets from 12 years old 3 times a day. Treat for at least 10 days. There is also a children's Lazolvan, adapted only for inhalation using a nebulizer. It can be used by children from birth.

Acetylcysteine ​​(ACC) is used to thin sputum in children over 4 years of age who have a cough. The drug is available in tablets and sticks with a dosed powder, which must be dissolved in ½ cup of boiled water. Acetylcysteine ​​200 mg is taken 4 times a day, 400 mg - 2 times a day and 800 mg - 1 time per day for 10 days. One of the pronounced and common side effects of this drug are stomach pain and heartburn, since the drug contains acid in its composition.

If a child develops choking (shortness of breath at rest) or shortness of breath, which is associated with minor and moderate physical exertion, bronchodilator drugs are prescribed.

Salbutamol - has a relaxing effect, which is directed to the smooth muscles of the bronchi. It is used in children from one year old in the form of aerosols, in children under one year old in the form of nebulizer inhalations only on demand, that is, at the time of suffocation. The medicinal effect of the drug lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and begins its action immediately after the erosol has hit the walls of the bronchial tree.

Plentiful drinking helps to reduce the manifestations of intoxication. For children, it can be teas, warmed fruit drinks, milk, compotes and herbal decoctions. Some herbs, along with detoxifying activity, help eliminate the cough reflex and improve sputum production.

St. John's wort, succession, chamomile, sage and plantain are taken in equal proportions. Herbs are ground with a coffee grinder or blender to a powder. 2 tablespoons of herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. Children should be given this remedy warm 1/3 cup 3 times a day. One dose of tea leaves is enough for a day. You can treat with these herbs for 1 - 2 weeks. Cough in children on average goes away after 4 to 5 days.

Licorice root, marshmallow root, cranberries, viburnum and wild rose are crushed in a meat grinder. 4 tablespoons of the resulting mixture is poured with a liter of boiled water and brought to a boil over a fire. The broth is allowed to boil over low heat for 15 minutes and then covered with a lid and allowed to brew. It is recommended to take this remedy 2 times a day for ½ cup. For a child, add 1 tablespoon of honey to the decoction before drinking. Honey is used to improve taste and is a natural antioxidant, the purpose of which is to strengthen the protective properties of the body (immunity) of the child. Cough becomes much less after 3 to 5 days of taking the decoction.

Milk, especially cow's milk, is used in children when a severe, debilitating cough occurs. Milk can calm the cough reflex, which in patients with bronchitis is exacerbated in the evening and at night, making it difficult to rest and disturb sleep. Milk also contains a large amount of protein, fats and vitamins that nourish the child in conditions of poor appetite during intoxication and thereby strengthen the body and help fight pathological microbes.

Boiled cow's milk is well heated, but not brought to a boil, ½ teaspoon of baking soda and the same amount of butter are added to 1 glass of milk. To improve the taste of the resulting mixture, use honey, 1 teaspoon per 1 cup. In the absence of cow's milk, goat's milk can be substituted.

Give this remedy to a child with bronchitis should be at night, already in bed. It is necessary to drink in small sips for 5 to 10 minutes. After taking the remedy inside, the cough completely calms down after 5 minutes.

One of the methods of alternative treatment is rubbing the chest. Rubbing stimulates blood flow in the lung tissue and, as a result, cleanses the bronchial tree from microbial agents, which significantly speeds up the healing process of children. Rubbing also has a warming effect, which gives them the opportunity, albeit for a short time, to save children from coughing.

The most effective among rubbing in children with bronchitis is such a remedy as badger fat.

Badger fat is a subcutaneous fat that is rich in organic and inorganic amino acids, unsaturated fats and vitamins.

Badger fat has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulatory effects.

The versatility of this tool lies in the fact that it can be used both externally and taken internally.

Outwardly, badger fat is used in children who are tormented by a dry or unproductive cough with a warming function. Badger fat also stimulates blood circulation in the lung tissue and eliminates congestion in the bronchi of medium and small caliber.

Badger fat for external use is applied at night, on the skin of the chest and back with light massaging movements in a thin layer and rubbed into the skin until a film forms on it. After that, the body of the child is wrapped in a blanket.

Inside, badger fat is used to increase immunity, which is also important for children with bronchitis.

The remedy should be given 1 dessert spoon (10 ml) 2 times a day. Badger fat is best taken with food, as the predominance of the substances contained in it are fat-soluble, and the therapeutic effect is thus more pronounced.

Badger fat can be used externally in children over 1 year of age and internally over 6 years of age. Badger fat, according to the observations of doctors, did not give pronounced side effects when taken orally or externally.

Applications on the chest

Applications or lozenges on the chest and back are used to calm coughs and improve blood circulation in the bronchi of children.

A cake with honey is used for children over 1 year old. Honey, sunflower oil and flour are mixed in equal quantities. The mixture is applied to the skin of the chest and back, then wrapped in polyethylene or tracing paper, covered with a terry towel on top.

Mustard tortilla is used for children over 6 years old. Mustard powder is mixed with warm boiled potatoes and laid out on the skin of the back, covered with tracing paper and a terry towel.

Applications are performed at night. The child is treated like this for no more than 3-4 days.

Physiotherapy

• inhalations with aromatic oils;
• chest massage;
• electrophoresis - the introduction through the skin of the chest using an electric current
• medicines;
• heating with the use of low-frequency electric currents and magnetic fields.

Video: Bronchitis, bronchitis in children, acute bronchitis in children

Frequent diseases faced by many parents are acute and chronic bronchitis in its various forms and course variants. Of particular interest is the onset of the disease in early childhood. This is due to the individual mechanisms of development, course, diagnosis and treatment of the disease in children of this age group.

Description of the disease

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the mucous membrane of the bronchi, often affecting the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, trachea and larynx. Initially, inflammation appears in the nasopharynx, then passes into the respiratory tract. This means that under the influence of certain causative factors and background conditions, structures located in the lumen of the bronchus of any caliber are damaged. At the same time, in the classical version, the inflammation does not pass to the adjacent tissues of the lungs or other parts of the upper respiratory tract.

The causes of the development of the disease can be several factors: a viral infection that contributes to the invasion of harmful microbes into the respiratory organs, hypothermia, dustiness, gas pollution, contacts with patients in the family.

An increase in primary morbidity is observed in the cold season, especially in the transitional autumn-winter and winter-spring periods, when microorganisms are especially active due to the improvement in the temperature regime of the environment, and the body's defenses are reduced. The incidence for children under the age of one year is 75-80 cases per 1000 children per year, from one year to 3 years - 180-200. Primary and independent damage to the bronchi is extremely rare. More often, bronchitis in children develops due to the spread of inflammation from other parts of the upper respiratory tract (, laryngitis,), which occur with respiratory and colds. In this case, a descending path of penetration of infection into the bronchi is observed. Reverse spread - from the bronchi to the trachea, does not happen.

Girls and boys get sick equally often. With regard to the type of physique of the child, children with increased weight and signs of paratrophy are more prone to bronchitis, especially its obstructive forms. Hereditary predisposition and cases of family bronchitis are also noticed.

For a complete understanding of the essence of bronchitis in children under one year old and its frequent course up to 2-3 years, it is necessary to consider some anatomical and physiological features of bronchial structures characteristic of this age period. These factors act as a favorable background, predisposing to the onset and development of bronchitis, which can occur in the form of an acute, chronic or obstructive process.

1. Relatively large length of bronchial structures with a small lumen.

2. Insufficient development of the mucociliary apparatus. This means that too thick mucus is produced, which normally should protect the bronchial tree from irritating agents. At the same time, special villi for its removal are poorly developed.

3. Increased reactivity of the smooth muscles of the bronchus, which can lead to its spasm at the slightest irritation.

4. Imperfection of local immune mechanisms.

5. General immune dysfunction associated with the differentiation of immunocompetent cells in the specified age range.

6. Relative weakness of the muscles of the chest and cough center. This prevents good ventilation of the lungs and the natural removal of mucus from the lumen of the bronchi.

7. The presence of allergic conditions in a child (food allergy, atopic, seborrhea.)

The severity and number of these prerequisites are the main trigger point in starting the inflammatory process in the bronchus. In this case, the mucosa occurs, a decrease in the lumen of the bronchus with a decrease in the volume of passing air, and as a result, the development of respiratory failure.

Signs and symptoms of bronchitis in children

Early detection of signs of the disease will prevent complications and help to start treatment in a timely manner, which will increase its effectiveness. For bronchitis in children under one year old, as in young children (up to 2-3 years old), the criteria for making a diagnosis are:

Temperature with bronchitis in children precedes the full clinical picture. Its figures can be of the most diverse nature (from 37.1 ° С to 39.9 ° С), maintenance throughout the day and conditions for decreasing. These characteristics depend on the pathogen and the child's immune system;

Prior acute respiratory disease. Very often, children can get bronchitis against the background of viral infections. This usually happens on the 3-4th day of SARS;

Cough is a basic symptom of bronchitis. By its nature, it can be said with clear certainty that the inflammation is localized precisely in the bronchi and at what stage it is. Usually its appearance corresponds to the onset of the disease. At this time, it is dry, sometimes hoarse. The child constantly coughs, almost with every breath. This occurs as a result of irritation of the inflamed mucosa with air. After a few days, the bronchial epithelium is restored and mucus begins to be actively produced to remove bacteria that colonize in places of inflammation. Clinically, this manifests itself in the form of a wet cough, which becomes less frequent and milder. At this time, the child may cough up clear or yellow sputum, which he usually swallows.

Chest pain. Children under one year old cannot say this, but older children sometimes point to it. Retrosternal localization is more typical for tracheobronchitis, which very often develops as a sequential descending process.

General weakness, lethargy and poor appetite in a child- these are far from specific signs of bronchitis. But their development should always alert parents. The fact is that the children's body is so changeable that the course of the disease can change its direction every hour. Indicators signaling deterioration are these signs.

Wheezing is also one of the specific signs. Their characteristics can help determine the solution of the issue - simple or obstructive bronchitis. They can be dry or wet. Among the latter, large- and small-bellied ones are distinguished. The more they resemble crepitus, the smaller bronchi are affected, which requires differential diagnosis with pneumonia. At the same time, they can be heard either during auscultation of the chest, or even remotely, at a distance. Do not forget that they can also appear due to the accumulation of mucus in the throat, which can simulate a bronchitis clinic.

Shortness of breath is a severe symptom of bronchitis. It characterizes the appearance of respiratory failure and the degree of its severity. The child begins to breathe often and hard, especially with any load. In small children, this is also manifested by the appearance of cyanosis of the skin during breastfeeding, which he refuses.

Strong heartbeat and tachycardia occur synchronously with shortness of breath and are also a sign of respiratory failure. The very appearance already speaks of a serious condition.

Usually, these signs are enough to make a diagnosis of bronchitis. In doubtful cases, to exclude concomitant lung damage in the form of bronchopneumonia or developmental anomalies, an x-ray examination of the chest organs is indicated. It is highly desirable to inoculate sputum for the composition of the microflora and its sensitivity to antibiotics, which will prevent the prescription of drugs that are not suitable for a particular child in this case.

Among the etiological factors and mechanisms for the development of bronchitis in children under one year old with its frequent chronicity and recurrent course up to 2-3 years of age, one can single out the characteristics of the child's body, factors that provoke the development of the disease and microorganisms that directly caused it. It is not worth dwelling additionally on the characteristics of the child's body in infancy, as they are described in the "description of the disease" section. One has only to point out that all of them contribute to the progression of the inflammatory process.

As for the provoking factors in the development of bronchitis, it is necessary to identify important elements here.

Child hypothermia. This is due to the imperfection of thermoregulation of children, especially in the first three months of life. If the parents dress the child too lightly and at the same time walk outside or the child is in a room with an air temperature below 18-19 ° C, this can lead to hypothermia. And vice versa - if you tightly wrap the child, he will sweat. The smallest draft on damp skin is enough to cause hypothermia and subsequently bronchitis.

Acute respiratory diseases. In 75-80% of cases, they become the cause and background for the development of bronchitis. Among the direct pathogens of bronchitis in children under one year old, which primarily affect the bronchi and provoke the reproduction of bacterial flora, include influenza viruses, parainfluenza, rhinosincitial virus, less often pathogens from the adenovirus family. They cause destruction of the bronchial epithelium. In this case, the mucosa becomes unprotected. Against this background, a secondary bacterial infection joins, which under normal conditions lives in the lumen of the bronchi, without causing any disturbances. These are most often streptococci, staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococci.

For reasons of occurrence, share viral, allergic, obstructive, asthmatic bronchitis. There are three types of bronchitis in children according to the international classification:

Acute bronchitis, manifested by acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa.

Acute obstructive - leads to changes in the structure of the mucous membrane.

Acute bronchiolitis is an inflammatory process that affects the small bronchi.

These types of bronchitis in children differ in the development factor, the severity of the disease and the methods of treatment. Bronchitis in children is only viral. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, when coughing and sneezing. It should be noted that breastfed children rarely get sick with bronchitis, with the exception of cases when the child is born prematurely, has congenital malformations of the respiratory organs, and or comes into contact with sick children. Bronchiolitis in children under one year old carries a danger, which consists in the development of acute respiratory failure against its background.

Small children always take parts from toys and designers into their mouths. Foreign bodies, getting into the child's mouth, touching the mucous membrane, provoke the development of bronchitis, due to the fact that microbes live on their surface. Bronchitis is the result of irritation of the bronchi, for example, when inhaling chemicals. Occurs, which leads to inflammation of the bronchial mucosa.

Always follows a severe cold or infection or external irritants. Bronchitis begins as a common cold, can be very long and difficult.

The first symptoms are a runny nose and dry, worse at night. A sick child feels weakness, pain behind the sternum, they are usually very restless, capricious, there is increased nervous excitability. In the blood test, a slight leukocytosis and an increase in ESR can be detected. There is an increase in body temperature, wheezing, shortness of breath.

After a few days, the cough becomes wet, sputum is released, which can be used to determine the type of bronchitis. The acute stage of the disease lasts less than a week, as a rule, it is cured within 5-6 days. The release of a transparent substance confirms the sign of an acute form of bronchitis, and a purulent one - of a chronic form. Untimely or incorrect treatment of manifestations of acute bronchitis is dangerous for the occurrence of protracted bronchitis, which threatens with complications.

Among all types of childhood bronchitis, two forms can be globally relevant - simple and obstructive. If the first does not cause special dangers and difficulties in treatment, then the second is quite the opposite. Obstructive bronchitis is a type of inflammatory lesion of the bronchi, in the mechanisms of development and clinical manifestations of which, the main role belongs to the violation of bronchial patency with respiratory failure.

The obstructive form of bronchitis, unlike ordinary bronchitis, is manifested by edema and deterioration of bronchial patency. The development of such pathologies is facilitated by various intrauterine disorders in the development of the respiratory organs, hypoxia, trauma, and early birth. Symptoms of this type of bronchitis are a paroxysmal cough and blue skin on the fingers and lips of the baby.

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in children

Symptoms in children are quite specific, which helps in its rapid diagnosis and timely treatment. They are characterized by sudden onset and rapid progression. The condition of the child may worsen every minute. A whole group of symptoms can be attributed to the menacing signs of obstructive bronchitis.

An abrupt onset at night, especially if the child actively walked on the street with other children during the day.

Child anxiety. Small children up to a year constantly cry, older ones cannot fall asleep, they constantly rush about.

Rough breath. Many parents describe it like this: "the baby has an accordion in its chest."

Whistling rales that can be heard at a distance. If you auscultate, you can hear moist fine bubbling rales over the entire surface of the lungs on both sides.

Shortness of breath, accompanied by the participation of auxiliary muscles in the act of breathing. Clinically, this is manifested by retraction of the intercostal spaces and movements of the abdomen during breathing. The chest, as it were, is in a state of constant inhalation and it is difficult for the child to exhale, for which he must additionally strain.

Cough that appears with the onset of obstruction. With a highly developed obstruction, it slightly decreases, with a reverse increase after its elimination. At the same time, mucus begins to depart.

Signs of progressive respiratory failure in the form of increased respiration and tachycardia, accompanied by cyanosis of the skin.

Causes of obstructive bronchitis in children

The reasons are associated with the characteristics of the pathogen and the reactivity of the child's bronchial system. The mechanism of development of bronchial obstruction in infancy is a spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi, swelling of the mucosa and thick abundant bronchial mucus.

Some bacteria and viruses enter the nerve ganglions around the bronchi, causing loss of regulation of their tone. The result is bronchospasm. Other types of microbes provoke excessive secretion of mucus. There are also those that predominantly cause swelling of the bronchial mucosa, narrowing its lumen. More often there is a combination of these mechanisms, leading to progressive obstruction. The presence of allergic diseases and overweight in a child is a risk factor for the development of obstructive bronchitis, which is associated with a tendency to bronchospasm and reactive edema, especially under the influence of a microbial factor.

Treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children

Treatment is an emergency. The younger the child, the less time there is for reflection. Priority measures should be aimed at eliminating bronchial obstruction and restoring bronchial patency.

Try to calm the child. Excitation provokes an increase in respiratory failure. The introduction of sedative drugs in age doses is allowed.

inhalation therapy. The most effective method of relief of obstruction. For this purpose, nebulizers, ultrasonic inhalers powered by the mains are used. If there is no such equipment, you can use special children's devices (bebihaler) in combination with pocket inhalers. Inhaled medicinal mixtures include salbutamol and glucocorticoid hormones. The most common representatives are ventolin and flexotide. The advantage of the method is that the drugs are administered directly to the bronchi. The effect occurs within a few minutes after inhalation.

Humidified oxygen instillations. Should be carried out in parallel with other activities.

If inhalation therapy does not work or the child has signs of severe intoxication with dehydration, infusion therapy with intravenous bronchodilators is indicated.

Basic treatment of bronchitis, including antibiotic therapy, expectorants, immune preparations, physiotherapy and vibration massage.

The most common type of bronchitis in children is acute. Its other name is simple bronchitis. It develops at any period of the life of infants, regardless of the individual characteristics of the body. It is characterized by a gradual, consistent and favorable course. Rarely complicated by respiratory failure. The average duration of the disease until complete recovery is 2.5-4 weeks.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis in children

The symptoms of acute bronchitis differ from other respiratory diseases in some ways that are important in the differential diagnosis. Consist of a triad of features.

Cough is the central symptom around which the diagnostic search is built. Its appearance indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process in the bronchi. It differs from other species that develop with laryngitis and tracheitis in its softness and character. Its two-phase structure is observed - first dry, then wet. Appears at approximately regular intervals, rarely associated with inhalation of air, which is observed with laryngotracheitis.

A general hyperthermic reaction that appears even before the onset of the cough.

Coarse dry or moist rales of various sizes. Small crepitant noises are not typical. They develop with obstructive bronchitis, bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia.

Other symptoms in the form of a violation of the general condition, poor sleep and refusal to eat, shortness of breath, tachycardia and an increase in the frequency of respiratory movements are not characteristic of the usual course of acute bronchitis. Their appearance indicates the addition of complications or the transition of the process into an obstructive form.

Treatment of acute bronchitis in children

Treatment begins immediately after confirmation of the diagnosis:

1. Antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action. They have the same blocking effect on many groups of microorganisms that can cause bronchitis. Recommended in pediatrics: augmentin, amoxiclav, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime. The dosage form of the drug is selected depending on the severity of the disease.

2. Mucolytics and expectorants (drugs that stimulate the excretion of mucus and its thinning.) In children under one year old, as well as up to 2-3 years old, the use of herbal and synthetic preparations based on ambroxol, ivy, thermopsis, plantain, etc. is shown. , fluditec, lazolvan, ACC in age dosages.

3. Antitussive drugs. They are prescribed in the first phase of bronchitis, when there is still no expectoration, but the cough is hacking (sinecode, stoptussin.)

4. Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents depending on body temperature.

5. Immunomodulators - preparations based on echinacea, vitamin C, bronchomunal.

How to treat bronchitis in a child?

With bronchitis, practical advice regarding treatment should be based on a single rule - no amateur performance. The treatment process can take place on an outpatient and inpatient basis, depending on the condition of the child. All infants must be hospitalized without fail. Children up to a year and up to 2-3 years with a mild course of bronchitis can be treated at home, subject to the treatment regimen.

In children, bronchitis often acquires a chronic course, with constant relapses up to a three-year period. Therefore, it is imperative to adhere to the established terms of the treatment process. It includes:

1. Diet. Allergenic foods are excluded (chocolate, honey, raspberries, citrus fruits.) Food should be fractional, high-calorie and nutritious food. Be sure to drink plenty of water (alkaline mineral water without gas, light tea, cranberry juice.) Mom's nutrition during breastfeeding is the same.

2. Mode. Exclude active loads and walks on the street, especially in bad weather and in the acute period of the disease. After the temperature drops, you can go out into the fresh air. Dress your child appropriately for the weather.

The doctor, examining the child, can detect swelling of the chest. The retraction of the chest sections is visually visible, which is a consequence of the fact that auxiliary muscles are involved in the process of breathing. The main requirements in the treatment of bronchitis in children are the exclusion of self-treatment, timely access to a specialist who will determine the direction of treatment.

In case of danger of transition of bronchitis into a protracted form, in the presence of elevated body temperature, the child is subject to hospitalization. This is especially true for children under 1 year of age and younger, as they are characterized by incomplete functioning of the respiratory system. Acute bronchitis is treated with warm drinks, antipyretics, and bed rest. After the body temperature drops and becomes stable, inhalations are carried out, rubbing the chest area.

If the disease does not recede within a week, an additional examination is required. It is not advisable for children to take antibiotics. Physiotherapeutic methods are introduced into the complex of medical procedures, a special diet is prescribed.

As an antibiotic therapy, the child should be given only those indicated in the medical prescription. Parents need to be responsible for this problem, not to buy random, advertised drugs.

Children under one year old should not be given drugs containing codeine. Alternative methods of treating bronchitis can be used as auxiliary in the presence of the main therapeutic therapy.

To avoid the diagnosis of "bronchial asthma" in the future, children who have bronchitis are registered in the dispensary. In winter, it is advisable not to wrap children too much, to avoid sweating, clothing should not be blown by the wind.

Hypothermia is one of the first causes of bronchitis. Industrial dust also often causes illness, the best place for children to play is the area where trees grow, it is recommended to walk with them away from production. Attention should be paid to cleanliness in the children's room, dusty air is a breeding ground for microorganisms that can provoke inflammation of the bronchi. It is useful to carry out hardening measures, introduce physical exercises, breathing exercises into the regimen.

Bronchitis is a common disease that affects children from 3 to 8 years of age the most. At this age, the respiratory system continues to actively form, so it is very vulnerable to infections. The sooner you detect the symptoms of the disease in a child, the easier and faster you can overcome it. Medicines, traditional methods of treatment and special massage will help you with this.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process of the bronchial mucosa.

Bronchitis and its causes

Bronchitis is inflammatory process covering the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree. It rarely develops on its own. In 99% of cases, this is a consequence of a viral disease - SARS or influenza. And only 1% is due to bacterial and fungal infections.

Stages of development of bronchitis:

1. Contact with a sick person and infection from him by airborne droplets. It is easy to catch an infection, as the activated microbes scatter within a radius of 10 meters when coughing or sneezing.
2. The development of acute respiratory disease, accompanied by runny nose, sore throat and fever.
3. With improper treatment or its absence the infection passes from the upper respiratory tract to the lower: first, the inflammation is localized in the throat, then in the trachea, and then descends into the bronchi.

With untimely treatment, the disease can descend from the upper respiratory tract to the lower ones.

The mechanism of infection with bacterial or fungal bronchitis is different. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms always live on the mucous membranes of a person, but in small quantities that do not harm health. And only under certain conditions, they begin to actively multiply, leading to the disease. This could be motivated by:

• stress;
• hypothermia;
• weakening of the immune system.

Important! Bronchitis caused by fungi or bacteria is not contagious to others. Exactly the same microorganisms live on the mucous membranes of other people, but their growth is restrained by the immune system.

But the viral form remains contagious until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.

The child remains contagious throughout the illness.

Bronchitis symptoms

You can determine that a child has bronchitis by the following signs:

• elevated body temperature (from 37.1 to 39 ° C and above), decreasing in a day (may be normal if the course of the disease is mild);
• strong dry cough, passing over several days into;
• expectoration of clear, yellow or green sputum;
• wheezing and / or whistles during breathing, heard at a distance;

Pay attention to the noise and whistling when breathing.

• pain in the chest (usually manifests itself at the time of the transition of the disease from the trachea to the bronchi);
• heart palpitations (from 100 beats per minute);
• shortness of breath (rapid and shallow breathing);
• general malaise, weakness and lack of appetite.

With a viral disease, medications are often prescribed:

• : , . Give when the temperature rises above 38 degrees.

Ibuprofen has analgesic, anti-inflammatory properties, has a moderate antipyretic effect.

• : Libexin, Tusuprex. It is allowed with severe bouts of dry cough that does not allow you to fall asleep.
• and:, herbal breast fees. They enhance the secretion of mucus, contribute to its liquefaction and excretion.

ACC is a drug for the treatment of wet cough.

• : Viferon, Interferon. They help the body fight the pathogen by accelerating the production of antibodies.

Attention! Antibiotics do not help in 99% of cases, as viruses usually cause the disease. But pediatricians often prescribe antibiotics “just in case,” and this can only be done after a sputum test, which shows the presence of a bacterial infection.

In other cases, the drugs will not bring benefits, but harm, killing the beneficial microflora.

Galina writes in a review:

“My daughter got sick at the age of 2. And a few days later she coughed so much that she began to choke. I called an ambulance and we were hospitalized with obstructive bronchitis. In the hospital, they administered a course of antibiotic therapy and released him, and 3 days later he had to go to the doctors again. They made the same diagnosis. She refused the hospital, but gave antibiotics to the child at home. Two months later, the cough continued. I went to another pediatrician, and he suggested that the disease was not caused by an infection, but by an allergic reaction. The reason was also found out - this is a new washing powder.

Relief of obstructive bronchitis

If blockage of the bronchial lumen could not be avoided, inhalations with the following drugs will help eliminate the obstruction:

• Ventolin;
• Flexotide.

The method is good because the medicine enters immediately into the bronchi, contributing to the expansion of the branches of the bronchial tree and the removal of sputum from them. The effect comes a few minutes after the procedure.

Important! If the child begins to choke, call an ambulance immediately. In the meantime, you are waiting for her, try to help him with inhalations yourself.

Treatment with folk remedies

Before you start treating your baby with folk remedies, listen to Komarovsky's advice:

• Do not use steam inhalation. This procedure increases the risk of the disease becoming obstructive due to blockage of the bronchi with a swollen lump of mucus (this does not apply to medicinal inhalation solutions).
• Thermal procedures should be done only at normal body temperature. Do not put warm compresses on the heart area, so as not to increase the already large load on the organ.
• Honey, propolis and herbs are strong allergens. Make sure your child is not sensitive to them.

Folk remedies will help relieve a painful cough.

• Keep drinks warm. Hot drinks can burn you, and it does not speed up your recovery.

You can watch the entire issue of Dr. Komarovsky's school about bronchitis in children here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdnChZSgfgk

To relieve dry cough will help:

• Boiled milk with the addition of honey, butter or soda.
• Freshly squeezed lingonberry juice with sugar or honey.
• Decoctions of blackcurrant leaves, coltsfoot, viburnum or linden flowers. To prepare them, brew a tablespoon of dry raw materials in a glass of boiling water and let cool.

If body temperature is normal:

• before bedtime. After the procedure, wipe them dry and put on warm socks.
• Wrap the chest with gauze soaked in warm vegetable oil. The dressing is covered with wax paper and fixed with a diaper.
• Put a potato cake on your chest. To do this, boil a few potatoes in their skins and mash them with the addition of honey or iodine with vegetable oil. Form a cake, wrap in gauze and place on the chest. Remove after cooling.

For older children, procedures such as mustard plasters and banks are suitable.

With bronchitis, distraction therapy can be effective: mustard plasters, mustard wraps, warming compresses.

Prevention

Bronchitis can recur again, and if it was poorly cured, then the disease will often recur, gradually turning into a chronic form. To protect the child from a new disease, carry out prevention. It includes:

• hardening. Gradual addiction to cold procedures helps to strengthen the immune system. First, do a contrast shower (dousing), alternating warm water with cool water (4-5 degrees lower). Then gradually lower the degree of cold water.
• Clothes according to the weather. Do not wrap the baby, otherwise he will sweat and start to freeze, which will lead to hypothermia. If you dress too lightly, the result will be the same.
• Preventive and during the period of mass destruction of SARS and influenza.
• A diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Helps to strengthen the body's defenses, normal growth and development of the baby.

A balanced diet has been and remains an effective measure to prevent colds.

Bronchitis is a common disease, usually of a viral nature. Therefore, there is no magic pill that would make a child recover in one day. Until the child's body copes with the disease on its own, you can only help it by preventing the sputum from drying out. So you speed up recovery and minimize the risk of complications.

Alisa Nikitina