How do I recognize bronchitis in a baby?
A normal bronchitis – caused by viruses – initially has similar symptoms to a “normal” cold, such as a dry and unproductive cough, slightly elevated temperatures between 37.5°C and 38°C, possibly one can already hear – typical for this disease – rales without a stethoscope. These noises are caused by secretion movements within the lungs. After a few days, the symptoms can worsen, which means that the baby’s breathing is faster and more strenuous than usual, the heart can beat faster, the cough becomes more productive (clear secretions are coughed up).
There may be difficulties in feeding the baby until he refuses to eat. If the baby is infected with a bacterium at the same time – in addition to the virus – this is called a bacterial superinfection. This is manifested by the baby’s increasing coughing attacks and the secretion it coughs up is much tougher than at the beginning and is also yellowish in colour.
Furthermore, it can lead to fever and worsening of the general condition. If a baby shows the typical signs of bronchitis, a doctor should be consulted. The diagnosis of bronchitis is usually possible by listening to the lungs for typical inhalation and exhalation sounds.
If obstructive bronchitis is suspected, in rare cases an X-ray examination can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. If chronic bronchitis is suspected, further examinations may be necessary to determine the exact cause of the disease. For example, it may be useful to perform an allergy test, a sweat test, an X-ray examination, or even an endoscopic endoscopy of the airways (bronchoscopy).
How long does bronchitis last in a baby? How contagious is the disease? Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease in a baby.
Up to twelve cases of bronchitis per year are considered normal in small children. As the children grow older, infections should also become less frequent. A schoolchild should not develop bronchitis more than six times a year.
The symptoms of bronchitis usually last about ten to fourteen days, in rare cases the symptoms can last up to four weeks. Some children have hypersensitive airways, which may indicate bronchial asthma. These children are particularly often affected by bronchitis.
However, by refraining from smoking in the home and regularly changing clothes after smoking a cigarette, the sensitive baby lungs can be protected. Bronchitis is a contagious disease. Especially in the winter months, the risk of infection increases, as a particularly large number of viruses circulate.
The risk of infection is already increased if you are in the same room with a sick person, because the infection is via droplet infection. When sneezing, coughing or speaking, the pathogens spread through the air, sometimes over several metres, and are inhaled by the next person. Babies and infants usually do not yet have a fully developed immune system. The body’s own defence system is still weak, which is why they are particularly susceptible to infection. The body’s defences can be strengthened by a healthy diet and careful hygiene, especially frequent hand washing.
