Most children develop cough after a cold. Most coughs are caused by viruses and so antibiotics are of least help. A cold is often followed by chest infections. Most of them are severe, short term bronchitis. It may be a wet cough which causes phlegm or sputum to be coughed up or it maybe a dry cough. Most healthy children will get over a cough in about a weeks time.
Babies and very small children are not very good at clearing their throats and so a rattling sound is heard at the back of the throat.
Antibiotics are not very beneficial for these infections. Coughing helps to clear the phlegm. In a chest infection it is normal to have phlegm at the back of the throat in the mornings.
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. Acute bronchitis in a healthy child will last for around a week. There will be cough with or without phlegm.
In normal situations bronchiolitis is treatable by antibiotics. If the breathing is shallow the child may have to go to hospital.
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.
Preventive Measures And Cures For Chest Infections
- 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.
- Avoid expectorants as it may dilute the mucus and make sleeping uneasy and uncomfortable. You can however give cough linctus at bedtime.
- Take the advice of your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Consult the doctor immediately in case of the following conditions:
- If the cough started when the child choked some food.
- Cough is accompanied by breathlessness.
- If the child appears generally very ill, with a high temperature or severe shivering.
- If the cough worsens at night or starts after exercise.
- Conditions don’t improve and cough lasts more than a week.
My child is 5 year old. He is suffering from allergic bronichitis since 4 years and every month again and again. We have a only one baby, has continues bronchitis for the last 5 days, no fever noted, only cough and running nose and mucus. Can you recommend some treatment for bronchitis?
Management of allergic bronchitis:
First and foremost, you have to bear in mind that a child’s immune mechanisms are not completely developed and not strong enough to ward off infections.
Follow these guidelines which will boost his immunity and reduce the symptoms and occurrences of bronchitis.
1. Every morning and night, give him 1 tablespoon of honey. Honey is a respiratory tonic which fights colds, coughs, reduces expectoration (nasal discharge), and peps up the immune levels.
2. Hot milk to which 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder is added is the ideal medicine for bronchitis.
3. Avoid giving foods that increase the production of phlegm – rice, curd or yogurt, bananas, fried foods, and sugar. Keep him away from smoke.
4. Caraway seeds are good expectorants. Lightly roast a handful of the seeds. Crush them and let your baby inhale the vapors. The pungency of the seeds eases nasal discharge and prevents chest congestion.
5. Furthermore, watch out for weather changes, identify the allergen, and prevent an attack from coming on. Start with these dietary measures as soon as you feel the symptoms are about to start.
I have an 8 year old boy and he has allergy of changing temperature. If he goes out of home or comes out from an air conditioned AC room, he has to sneeze and cough. Every morning he has mucus and sneezes and coughs. I need a cure for the cough and sneezing allergy
I have a girl child 8 years old. She is continuously suffering from Bronchitis asthma. I have got homeopathic treatment for last 15 days. She still has a lot of throat and chest congestion. Advice me good treatment for bronchitis asthma laced with chest an throat congestion. She suffers from this problem regularly.
Alopathic treatment was also tried, which gave temporary relief. Problem repeats again after 20 / 30 days of treatment. Some times we have to give her shots of easyflo / asthalin.
What treatment do you suggest?
Bronchial asthma is frequently caused by some type of allergy, like pollens, synthetic food color agents, perfumes, even citrus fruits like grapes, oranges etc. So avoid contact with these irritants, and do not consume such irritants. Some home remedies like honey, ginger, turmeric powder paste is helpful in building natural resistance of the body. Do not give cold food, ice-creams as they also may cause and trigger asthma.
I have a three year old boy who has been sick for three days and has high temperature with a low ugly cough his breathing is ugly – sounding like he cannot breath and I feel he has a lot of mucus. I am afraid it could be bronchiolitis.
I have a 6 years old daughter who has been coughing for almost 2 months now. She had a chest X-ray where I was told that she has Bronchopneumonia. What do you suggest I do and what drugs do I use for her? Presently am using meds prescribed by doct for her.
Let her continue with the prescribed drugs. Simultaneously you can give supplementary natural nutritious food and drinks. Carrot juice, spinach juice mixed with juice of Indian gooseberry will help to enhance the healing process.
Home remedy such as ginger, honey and turmeric paste are also useful in lower respiratory tract infections. Do not give cold drinks, ice cream etc.
I have a two year old who has had recurrent chest infections since she was 8 months old. She was bottle-fed and very refluxy for the first three months of her life. During winter she would have a chest infection every 3-4 weeks with high fever, loads of coughing and general misery. What do you recommend?
Children’s have lower susceptibility or immunity compared to adults. A slight change in climate, or the environment, can indispose them. Running nose is common feature in children of this age; a mild viral infection can cause such types of cold. It is very difficult to presume that bronchitis of the lady may be the cause.