Chest Infections in Children, Bronchitis, Cough, Phlegm Treatment

A cold is often followed by chest infections. Most of them are severe, short term bronchitis.
Antibiotics are not very beneficial for these infections. Coughing helps to clear the phlegm.

Symptoms of Chest Infection

1. In a chest infection it is normal to have phlegm at the back of the throat in the mornings.
   
   
   
2. Acute bronchitis in a healthy child will last for around a week. There will be cough with or without phlegm. Things will get better gradually.

Children affected by Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a more serious type of chest infection. The children will generally be unwell accompanied by very high temperature and severe shivering. Antibiotics are found beneficial in the treatment of pneumonia.

Bronchiolitis in Children

It is also a type of chest infection that affects babies and very young children. Breathing is fast and shallow accompanied by high temperature. It can also cause wheezing. In normal situations bronchiolitis is treatable by antibiotics. If the breathing is shallow the child may have to go to hospital.

What are the preventive measures and cures for Chest Infections?

1. If a child had a cold that has shifted to the chest. But the child is otherwise active in eating and playing. Then wait and watch for around three days to see if the condition improves.
2. Avoid expectorants as it may dilute the mucus and make sleeping uneasy and uncomfortable. You can however give cough linctuses at bedtime.
3. Take the advice of your pharmacist.
4. If your child has fever. Give him a recommended dosage of Paracetamol in the first place. This should be accompanied by warm water sponging. Repeat the sponging continuously till the temperature lowers. If no improvement is observed in the child, contact your doctor for advice.
5. If the cough lasts for more than a week and does not seem to improve; and becomes worse after exercise or at night. It is a bad sign and calls concern.

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