When you catch an infection of the respiratory tract, you usually try to fight the unpleasant condition quickly, using combined products available over the counter in pharmacies and proven home remedies for the common cold and influenza. However, when the symptoms of the infection become stronger despite the treatment, or they simply do not subside for a long time – you usually start wondering whether this is a regular common cold or actual bronchitis.
The most common symptoms of bronchitis, i.
»
Bronchitis is a common viral infection of the respiratory tract which attacks both children and adults, in periods of reduced body immunity.
At first, as a result of a viral infection, the cilium epithelium lining the walls of the respiratory tract is damaged. Damage to the epithelium fosters bacterial infections.
»
Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lower respiratory tract. Due to its severe course and the risk of complications it poses a threat to health and life. Remember that even regular rhinitis in infants or newborns may warn of a potential pneumonia risk.
»
Pneumonia in children is a bacterial infection (less frequently a viral one) of the lower respiratory tract, usually as a result of rhinitis or influenza which has not been fully treated. Due to the risk of a severe illness in small children and possible hazardous complications, it is worth knowing the typical symptoms of pneumonia in order to quickly consult a physician in the case of a suspected diagnosis.
Pneumonia in children produces typical symptoms.
»
A cough is a frequent symptom of an infection of the upper respiratory tract (the common cold). It is particularly dangerous for a newborn or an infant because it makes breathing difficult, weakens the baby and prevents sleep.
There are two basic types of cough accompanying the common cold:
a wet cough – namely productive.
»
Small children very frequently catch bronchitis while in a period of reduced body immunity. This is often a viral infection (less frequently a bacterial one) of the lower respiratory tract. Bronchitis may also occur as a result of an improperly treated common cold.
»
If your child catches the common cold it usually means a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.
Remember that an effective method of treating the common cold in children is firstly treating the symptoms of the infection by using the following medications:
anti-fever and painkilling medications. Syrups with paracetamol or ibuprofen may be given to an infant older than 3 months,
combined products for children containing paracetamol and vitamin C.
»
When you suspect you or your relatives may have bronchitis, it is extremely important to consult a physician who will diagnose the disease and order proper treatment.
Remember that effective treatment of bronchitis requires a lot of self-discipline in taking medications. Therefore:
Use medications according to the physician's recommendation
Do not shorten the course of treatment; do not stop using the prescribed antibiotic as soon as you feel better.
»
Because their immune system is still developing, newborns and infants can catch the common cold in the period of increased cases of infections of the upper respiratory tract. In such a situation it is worth consulting a pediatrician immediately (especially with an infant) because treating such young children requires specialised procedures.
Remember that treating the common cold in infants consists, above all, of alleviating the symptoms of the infection.
»
Acute bronchitis is a serious infection of the lower respiratory tract, requiring proper pharmacological treatment due to the risk of complications.
Causes of acute bronchitis
The most common causes of bronchitis include:
viral infections (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, the influenza and parainfluenza virus, the Coxsackievirus),
bacterial infection,
complications from the common cold or influenza which has not been fully treated (remember that even regular rhinitis combined with a wet cough may result in acute bronchitis).
Factors increasing the risk of acute bronchitis
There are also factors which increase the risk of falling ill with bronchitis.
»
