Ready Reference Of Bronchitis

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Though the physician will usually be the one to diagnose your baby's ill-ness, you may find the basic information of Bronchitis in this topic as you try to sort out the possibilities and prepare to seek medical help. Keep in mind that not every child has a textbook case of every illness. Your child's symptoms, duration of disease, and so on may vary from those posted here.
BRONCHITIS.
(inflammation of  the bronchial tree and often the windpipe, or trachea).
SEASON:
Varies with causative microorganism.
SUSCEPTIBILITY:
Greatest in children under 4 years.
SYMPTOMS:
1. Usually: Cold symptoms.
2. Abrupt onset of: fever, about 102`; harsh cough, worse at night, sometimes paroxysmal, with vomiting; greenish or yellow sputum; wheezing or whistling on breathing out, especially with a family history of respiratory allergy; lips and fingernails tinged blue.
CAUSE:
Usually a virus; less often, bacteria, but secondary bacterial infection is common. Cough made worse by tobacco smoke.
TRANSMISSION:
Usually via respiratory secretions.
INCUBATION:
Varies with causative organism.
DURATION:
Fever lasts 2 or 3 days; cough 1 or 2 weeks or more.
CAll ER:
Call the doctor if cough is severe, or lasts more than 3 days.
TREATMENT:
Symptomatic, for cough, if needed; in some cases, antibiotics.
DIET:
Increase in clear fluids.
PREVENTION:
Proper care of a baby with a common cold.
RECURRENCE:
Some children are particularly susceptible, and get bronchitis with every cold.
COMPLICATIONS:
Otitis media (ear infection).