Patient's question:
Child has a cough and nosebleed. January 25, 2010. Past treatment and effectiveness: Antibiotic treatment. Not very effective. What kind of assistance is needed: How is the best treatment...Doctor's answer:
An allied organ between the trachea and the lungs. When pathogens primarily rage in the urinary tract and recurrent inflammation occurs, it is medically termed bronchitis. Children primarily suffer from acute bronchitis, which is mostly caused by viruses, manifesting as fever, cough, and phlegm. The main reason for its occurrence is that the trachea, bronchi, and capillaries in infants and young children are relatively narrow, and the surrounding elastic fibers are not well developed. Once infected by viruses or bacteria, the mucosa becomes congested and swollen, causing severe pain in the small bronchi and capillaries. It is commonly seen in children under 2 years old.Home Care for Pediatric Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease in children with a high incidence rate, occurring all year round, with peaks in winter and spring. When a child has bronchitis, they often experience varying degrees of fever, cough, reduced appetite, or accompanied by dry vomiting, nausea, and vomiting. Younger children may also exhibit symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, which are characteristic of small airway bronchitis. Although a very small number of children may develop bronchopneumonia, the majority have mild conditions, and treatment at home with medication and care is the foundation. Parents should follow medical advice to administer medication on schedule and provide proper home care:
1. Prevent Cold Exposure: Fluctuations in temperature, especially cold exposure, can reduce the local resistance of the bronchial mucosa, worsening bronchitis. Therefore, parents should adjust the child's clothing according to the temperature changes and ensure they are well-covered, especially during sleep, to keep their body temperature above 36.5°C.
2. Increase Fluid Intake: During bronchitis, children experience varying degrees of fever, leading to significant fluid loss. It is important to provide them with plenty of fluids. Sugary water or sugar saline solutions can be used, as well as rice porridge, egg soup, and other nourishing liquids. A semi-liquid diet is recommended to enhance hydration and meet the body's needs.
3. Ensure Adequate Nutrition: Children with bronchitis consume a large amount of nutrients, and fever and bacterial toxins can interfere with gastrointestinal function, leading to poor digestion and absorption. Therefore, nutritional deficiencies in children with bronchitis should not be overlooked. Parents should adopt a small, frequent meal approach, providing light, nutritious, balanced, and easily digestible semi-liquid or liquid diets, such as porridge, well-cooked noodles, egg custard, fresh vegetables, and fruit juices.
Symptomatic Treatment
1. Clear the Lungs and Expel Phlegm: If the phlegm is thick and difficult to expel, it can be treated with inhalation therapy using a nebulizer and 10% ammonium chloride mixture, or drugs like Bismuth Iodide (1-2 tablets for children aged 2-4, 2-3 tablets for children aged 5-8). Frequent, mild coughing that interferes with sleep and rest can be treated with small doses of antitussive medication, such as diphenhydramine and chlorpromazine (0.5-1 mg/kg per dose, 2-3 times daily). It is important to avoid overuse and prolonged use, as this may impair the physiological function of cilia, making it difficult to expel secretions.
2. Relieve Spasms with Theophylline: 2-4 mg/kg per dose, 3-4 times daily orally. Salbutamol: For children under 6, 1-2 mg per day, divided into 3-4 doses orally, or 0.1 mg/kg per dose. Salbutamol aerosol (0.5%, 1 puff = 0.1 mg) can be used 1-2 puffs per dose, 2-3 times daily. In cases of severe wheezing, prednisone can be added at a dose of 1 mg/kg per day, divided into 3 doses orally, with a course of 4-7 days. Proprionate beclomethasone aerosol can also be used, but local medication may increase the side effects of systemic medication. It is not suitable for infants and young children. For children, 1-2 puffs (50 μg-100 μg) per dose, 2-4 times daily.