Recognizing Bronchitis Symptoms in Infants

Bronchitis is simply cold which spreads throughout the bronchial tubes of lungs called bronchi. Bronchitis has different levels of severity. It ranges from mild fever to severe breathlessness. Usually cough, wheezing and chest pain is reported by the patients. But bronchitis can be extremely dangerous in infants. If your infant is makes squeaky noises while breathing and you notice any difficulty in his breathing you must immediately consult your doctor.

Bronchitis is infants usually occur due to infection in upper respiratory system. Abrupt symptoms keep recurring and seldom it is considered as a separate disease during childhood. Often other symptoms of bronchitis are accompanied with dry, persistent cough which usually lasts for 2 3 days. Children also suffer with recurrent mild fever. Mostly cough worsens during nights and children reports chest in pain.

Basically bronchitis among infants is attributed to viral infections. Infants suffering with bacterial pneumonia also display such symptoms. If not treated properly immediately bronchitis can also be fatal in infants and young children.

Cold and Cough are mostly considered as infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by viruses. Such cold viruses lower the resistance of the throat and nose and cause other secondary infections. It is a misconception that direct exposure to cold atmosphere without hat causes cold it is in fact the viral or bacterial infection which causes cold.

Usually cold among children are milder for first six to seven days. It is characterized by stuffy nose accompanied with mild cough. Positioning infant with such that head is elevated a bit helps him or her to breathe comfortably. Adult must try to keep away from infants and children if they themselves are suffering with cold or flu. Never try to self medicated children with medicines you use for cold or flu. Instead consult your doctor immediately.

Any distortion in breathing patterns of infants must be immediately reported to doctor. Respiration can be considered normal only if exchange of gases in lungs occur properly without any difficulty. Mothers must observe breathing rates closely. Infants below one year of age must breathe at least 40-60 times per minute. One year old babies breathe 25-35 times in minute. Toddlers respire 20-40 times a minute. However these rates may increase during crying or sleeping.

Infants suffering with sore or strep throats, tonsils etc also show difficulty in breathing. Streptococcus is the bacteria which causes strep throat. It is usually transmitted from infected adults to infants. Any antibiotic treatment may aggravate the condition further more. So it is best advised to consult doctor before any medication.

Bronchitis affects infants and young children more as their airways are still small and get blocked easily de to excess mucus. Normally bronchitis occurs in children of about 2 years of age but babies of 3-6 months also report bronchitis. Male children are more susceptible to bronchitis when compared to female children. Children living in polluted smoky areas and children who are not breastfed are also at a higher risk to get affected with bronchitis.

Mothers must understand consequences and facts of bronchitis clearly. Children diagnosed with bronchitis are more prone to develop asthma later in future. It can also results in pre-maturity, lung and heart diseases and can severely weaken the immune system.