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Pediatric bronchitis
Pediatric bronchitis (bron·chi·tis) is an infection and inflammation of the bronchial tubes of the lungs, which causes a productive (wet) cough.
What is pediatric bronchitis?
Bronchitis occurs when bronchial tubes (the tubes that lead from the windpipe to the lungs) become infected. This irritation leads to a mucus buildup. Your child will cough to bring the mucus up.
Bronchitis can be chronic (ongoing) or acute (sudden). Most children have acute bronchitis, caused by a virus or bacteria. It will eventually get better on its own or through treatment.
What are the different types of pediatric bronchitis?
- Chronic bronchitis is primarily a concern for adults. It’s an ongoing, serious condition that is often caused by smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Acute bronchitis may follow a cold or other respiratory infection. It lasts from a few days to 10 days. However, coughing may linger for several weeks after the infection is gone. Pneumonia may follow bronchitis.
What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric bronchitis?
Symptoms of bronchitis include:
- Back or muscle pain from coughing
- Chest pains while coughing
- Chills
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Headache
- Malaise (feeling run down)
- Nasal congestion
- Shortness of breath, tightness in chest
- Slight fever
- Sore throat
- Wheezing or rattling sounds while breathing
- Cough that may bring up thick white, yellow or greenish mucus
What are the causes of pediatric bronchitis?
Bronchitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria. In 90 percent of cases, bronchitis is viral.
Bronchitis can also be triggered by:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids (glands in the roof of the mouth)
- Irritants such as dust, fumes, vapors and air pollution
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke (for chronic bronchitis)
- Chronic sinusitis (sinus infection)