Symptoms of bronchitis in children | Symptoms of bronchitis

Symptoms of bronchitis in children

Children and babies can also suffer from bronchitis, especially during the cold winter months. As the respiratory tract is particularly vulnerable and affected by the cold wind during this time, viruses can trigger bronchitis particularly easily. As with adults, bronchitis also subsides in children after 1 to 2 weeks.

Common triggers in children are adenoviruses or Coxsackie viruses. Babies and children up to the age of 3 years suffer from obstructive (i.e. constricting) bronchitis, which is caused by special viruses (the so-called RS viruses) and can even become life-threatening in the worst case. Characteristic features of obstructive bronchitis are severe shortness of breath and a typical whistling exhalation sound, also known as “gulling”.

The viruses cause constant damage to the bronchial walls, which become thin and less resistant. Especially the small bronchi cannot withstand the high pressure during exhalation and collapse. As a result, the air is trapped in the alveoli and cannot escape.

The result is over-inflation of the alveoli (the small alveoli), which in turn is accompanied by reduced oxygen supply to the blood, breathing difficulties and reduced performance. Initially, these symptoms only exist during exertion, but can also occur at rest over the course of time and thus become life-threatening. Some children develop bronchial asthma.

Another complication is that a damaged lung is always more vulnerable to infection than a healthy one. This leads to frequent infections and additional bacterial infections, which can eventually turn into pneumonia. Viral bronchitis can be treated well with cough-relieving drugs such as acetylcysteine (ACC acute). Drugs such as Bromhexine or Ambroxol can dilute the mucus formed and thus also facilitate expectoration. If the symptoms worsen, a severe fever and yellowish sputum occur, a pediatrician should be consulted urgently and an antibiotic prescribed.

How do the symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia differ?

Acute bronchitis often begins with a dry, irritable cough, which can then develop into a cough with sputum (productive cough). The secretion is whitish-glassy and can become yellowish or even greenish if bacteria play a role in addition to viruses. In addition, cold-like symptoms such as rhinitis, headaches and possibly (not very high) fever occur.

Breathing difficulties are rare or minor. In severe pneumonia caused by bacteria, coughing with sputum (yellowish to greenish secretion) plays a major role. Which symptoms occur is extremely dependent on the pathogen.

However, it often occurs with atypical pathogens such as mycoplasma, legionella, chlamydia or viruses, the disease can also progress insidiously and be accompanied by only low fever and dry cough. Since only a doctor can determine whether it is bronchitis or pneumonia and since the therapies differ, it is very important to consult a doctor in case of such problems. – too high a fever with sweating and chills,

  • Rapid breathing and shortness of breath,
  • Lassitude
  • And pain when I breathe.