No one likes to hear the words “kids” and “bronchitis” mentioned together. The good news is that most cases of bronchitis in children are mild.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the large breathing tubes in the lungs. With bronchitis, it’s harder for air to enter and exit the lungs and there is also a marked increase in the production of mucus.
Bronchitis is either acute (comes on suddenly and doesn’t last long) or chronic (a persistent, long-term condition). Chronic bronchitis is more common among adults than children. When children get bronchitis, it’s most often the acute variety.
Acute Bronchitis in Children
A viral infection is a usual culprit for acute bronchitis in children. Bronchitis usually develops after a cold or infection of the upper respiratory tract, which progresses to affecting the chest. Children who suffer from sinusitis and allergies are more prone to developing bronchitis.
While symptoms of acute bronchitis may vary from one child to another, some of the most common are:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Body pains
- Fever and chills
- Wheezing
In the early stages of acute bronchitis, children usually experience a dry cough that progresses to a mucus-filled cough. Younger children who do not know how to expectorate may vomit or gag.
Acute bronchitis symptoms usually go away in as little as one week. However, do not let your child’s bronchitis go unchecked. Only a doctor can know for sure – with a proper diagnosis – that your child has acute bronchitis and not some other medical conditions. In addition, there are serious complications to bronchitis (such as pneumonia), which is why it’s important to have your child seen by a doctor.
Diagnosing Acute Bronchitis in Kids
The way bronchitis is diagnosed is through a physical examination and discussion of your child’s symptoms. In some cases, your pediatrician may request that your child undergo a chest X-ray. Further tests may include those that measure oxygen levels in the blood (such as an arterial blood gas test or pulse oximetry) or those that measure how well your lungs are working (pulmonary function tests). Additionally, the qualities surrounding the mucus being coughed up and any nasal discharge may help indicate possible cause of infection.
Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic in San Antonio, Texas
If you suspect that your child has acute bronchitis or if he or she is suffering from a cold, we welcome you to our Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatric Urgent Care clinic in San Antonio, Texas. For your convenience, we accept walk-ins – there is no need to make an appointment!
We are an after-hours facility staffed with kid-loving doctors and nurses ready to provide urgent pediatric care to your child. We treat kids with compassion and designed our facility to make it a fun and less stressful experience for children. Our goal is to change kids’ perception of visits to the doctor’s office.
Our Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatric Urgent Care clinic utilizes the latest technology and equipment for a quick and accurate diagnosis of your child’s condition. If you have any questions about our services, please give us a call at (210) 267-5411.
