Although it is a common illness that affects both adults and children, childhood cases of pneumonia can present unique challenges. Concerning the best way to treat this illness and ensure a speedy and safe recovery for their child, parents frequently have a lot of questions. Dr. Komarovsky, one of the most reputable experts in pediatrics, provides helpful guidance on this subject.
Well-known pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky highlights that viral infections are typically the cause of childhood bronchitis. He emphasizes that it’s important to remain calm because, with the correct care and attention at home, the majority of cases resolve. His advice focuses on doable, straightforward actions that any parent can take.
We’ll go over Dr. Komarovsky’s main recommendations for treating bronchitis in this post, from diagnosing the illness to giving the right care. His method blends medical knowledge with practical advice to keep kids comfortable and promote a quick recovery.
About the disease
An inflammatory process that affects the bronchi’s deeper tissues as well as their mucous membrane is called bronchitis. Children are more likely than adults to contract the disease, and babies between the ages of one and three are the most vulnerable. However, older children are not at all uncommon with this disease. As a result, 9% of all young patients had bronchitis during a mass examination of children aged 8 to 10 years, according to a Ministry of Health study. Bronchitis is nearly three times more common in boys than in girls.
Viral infections are the cause of the illness in more than 80% of cases. Most frequently, these are respiratory viruses; bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia are much less common. Bronchitis is frequently a side effect of bacterial infections caused by staphylococci, pneumococci, and streptococci, as well as a complication of influenza, parainfluenza, measles, and whooping cough.
The effects of inhaled poisons, toxic compounds, and gaseous and acidic vapors on the bronchi are linked to only 3 percent of all diseases. Ten percent of allergic children develop bronchitis as a result of their reactions to angigen.
The World Health Organization reports that 97% of children between the ages of 3 and 12 have experienced bronchitis at least once, 60% have experienced it multiple times, and 20% have chronic bronchitis.
Types
Depending on where the illness originated, there are various forms of the condition:
- Infectious. This type of bronchitis is the most common, it is caused by bacteria and viruses.
- Non-infectious. This disease is caused by allergens, harmful gases, vapors of toxic chemical compounds.
- Mixed (combined). The doctor will make such a diagnosis if it turns out that the causes of bronchitis are multiple (for example, an allergic reaction to something when recently suffering from the flu).
- Abnormal (idiopathic). This is bronchitis, the causes of which cannot be established.
Furthermore, the disease exhibits variations in its course, form, and manifestations.
- Acute bronchitis. The most common type of disease. Usually caused by viruses or bacteria, occurs with pronounced symptoms. Often accompanied by bronchospasm.
- Chronic bronchitis. This form of the disease occurs when the acute form of the disease was treated incorrectly or was not treated at all. With a chronic course of the disease, the child experiences attacks at least once every three months, the peak of manifestations occurs in autumn and spring, as well as during periods of mass incidence of viral infections. Cough with chronic bronchitis does not respond well to drug therapy.
- Obstructive. This form of bronchitis is quite clearly distinguishable. With it, the child has difficulty breathing, when exhaling and inhaling, a characteristic whistling and wheezing in the bronchi is heard, the baby suffers from severe shortness of breath. This disease can be associated with a genetic predisposition, with severe viral infection, strong air pollution.
Also, there can be variations in the level of inflammation associated with bronchitis:
- Catarrhal.
- Hemorrhagic.
- Combined.
- Purulent.
- Fibrous.
Tracheobronchitis is the term for the condition that occurs when bronchitis affects not only the bronchi but also the trachea.
The disease is classified into three primary forms based on its severity: mild, moderate, and severe.
The type and form of bronchitis determines the prognosis given by doctors. In 99% of cases, acute bronchitis can be fully cured with prompt medical attention and the appropriate course of action. Curing chronic and obstructive cases is only 40% possible. Treatment for allergic bronchitis cannot begin until the reaction’s underlying cause is found and removed. After the antigen is found and removed, it usually goes away on its own.
Symptoms
If diagnosing the precise cause of the illness requires the assistance of medical professionals and laboratory techniques, then it is relatively simple to suspect bronchitis in a child at home. This disease has fairly distinctive symptoms. Among them is a severe cough with copious bronchial secretions (phlegm) secreted by the child. Less frequently, the cough produces no phlegm. The youngster will complain of chest pain in addition to an exhausting cough. Breathlessness is frequently apparent even following light exercise.
The child may occasionally have pallor, cyanosis of the skin, and tiny blood spots in their sputum. Not a single child with bronchitis does not have a fever, and every single one of them experiences varied degrees of headache pain along with noticeable general weakness, fatigue, and increased perspiration.
Causes
First and foremost, the bronchi serve a vital defensive purpose by obstructing viruses and harmful bacteria. Оогда иммунная защита ослаблена, а количество возбудителей велико, в бронхах вырабатывается больше слизи, и если выход ее затруднен, развивается воспалительный процесс. This is the normal process by which bronchitis develops.
The most common cause of this illness, according to medical professionals, is an infection that coexists with hypothermia (cold). Children who breathe air that is too dry, too humid, or that is contaminated frequently get pneumonia. If the child has recently experienced pharyngitis, sinusitis, or tracheitis, or if the nose "does not breathe," defects and diseases of the nasopharynx may act as triggers for the disease.
| Topic | Doctor Komarovsky"s Advice |
| What is bronchitis? | An inflammation of the airways often caused by infections or allergens. |
| How does it start? | Typically follows a cold, with coughing as the main symptom. |
| Treatment | Focus on fresh air, hydration, and sometimes medication if prescribed by a doctor. |
| Should antibiotics be used? | Not always necessary, as bronchitis is often viral, not bacterial. |
| Prevention | Strengthen immunity with a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking or allergens. |
Dr. Komarovsky stresses that although children’s bronchitis is typically treatable, it still needs to be closely monitored. In addition to making sure their children are properly hydrated and kept in a comfortable environment, parents should avoid using antibiotics unless absolutely necessary.
Recuperating children requires a combination of fresh air, appropriate humidity, and maintaining composure. Dr. Komarovsky emphasizes the need of allowing the body to heal naturally while closely monitoring symptoms, and cautions against overmedicating.
It is always a good idea to consult a doctor if symptoms get worse or persist. A child’s growth process may include bouts of pneumonia, and most cases resolve without significant complications if given the right care.
A reputable expert on children’s health, Dr. Komarovsky, explains that viral infections are typically the cause of childhood bronchitis and that antibiotics are not always necessary. He assures parents that most cases resolve on their own with supportive care, but he also emphasizes the significance of getting enough water, getting outside, and managing symptoms like fever and cough. The secret to avoiding complications is knowing when to visit a physician.
