Bronchitis In Children: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Remedies

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Bronchitis in kids is a viral or bacterial lower respiratory infection characterized by the inflammation of the lining of the large breathing tubes (bronchi). This lining makes mucusⁱA sticky material that covers the lining of the lungs, throat, mouth, and sinus and provides protection and lubrication and protects the underlying tissues. It causes a lot of mucus production, which can lead to airway obstruction and make it difficult for the air to pass through and reach the bronchi. The main symptom of the infection is cough. Children may have dry coughs or wet coughs with mucus (1) (2).

Read the post to know about the types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of bronchitis in children.

Types And Causes Of Bronchitis In Children

Bronchitis-causing pathogens spread through the mucus and respiratory droplets of the infected person (1) (3) (4).

1. Acute bronchitis

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• It is a temporary inflammation of the bronchi caused by bacteria or viruses.
• It may also be caused by dust, allergens, fumes, cleaning chemicals, or tobacco smoke.
• Acute bronchitis usually occurs after a common cold or upper respiratory tract infection.
• Although it may affect people of all ages, it is most common in children under five. Acute bronchiolitis is also common in children between two months and two years.
• The infection is mostly mild but may be severe in some cases, specially in young infants. It usually lasts for a short duration.

Quick fact

Bacterial bronchitis is considered to occur more commonly than viral bronchitis (2).

2. Chronic bronchitis

• The main cause of the infection is smoking and being around tobacco smoke or chemical fumes for a long time.
• It is rare in children and mostly affects people over 40.
• The infection may be mild or severe and may last several months to years.

Signs And Symptoms Of Bronchitis In Children

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The primary symptom of the condition is a dry, non-productive cough or wet cough with thick yellow, white, or green mucus. Children usually cannot expectorate the mucus. Instead they swallow it and it comes out when they vomit. Children may also experience the following symptoms (1) (4).

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Chest congestion or tightness
• Headache
• Fever
• Discomfort in the body
• Muscle pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty in feeding or sucking from mother’s breast
• Wheezingⁱ A condition where breathing causes high-pitched whistling sounds because the air passages become narrow due to inflamed bronchi
• Cough-induced vomiting

The symptoms may last for a few days to weeks; however, the cough may stay for some time even after the symptoms have disappeared (3).

You should see a doctor if children have (3) (5):

• A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• A high temperature for more than three days (the sign of flu or pneumonia)
• Cough with blood in mucus
• Shortness of breath
• Feeding difficulty
• Frequent bronchitis

Risks And Complications Of Bronchitis In Children

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The following factors may increase the child’s risk of developing bronchitis or bronchiolitis (6).

• Allergies
• Chronic sinusitis
• Asthma
• Enlarged tonsilsⁱ A pair of round, soft tissue masses at the back of the throat and adenoidsⁱA soft mass of tissue located behind the nasal cavity
• Secondhand smoke
• Congenital heart disease
• Underlying immunodeficiency disorder
• Incomplete vaccinations

Most children recover without major issues. Bronchitis may sometimes lead to pneumonia, the most common complication. Pneumonia occurs when the lungs’ air sacs are infected and fill up with fluid (3). In severe cases, acute bronchiolitis may complicate into heart failure, convulsions or respiratory failure.

Prematurely born babies are at a higher risk of developing respiratory infections, bronchitis being the most prevalent infection. As the graph below depicts, respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis are more common for very preterm-born children, resulting in impaired lung function in adulthood. Late preterm-born children also tend to have reduced lung function, greater respiratory symptoms, and a greater risk of respiratory infections in youth. Nevertheless, their rates of respiratory illness are lower than those of very preterm-born children.

Hospital admissions of moderately/late preterm-born children with lower respiratory tract infections

Diagnosis Of Bronchitis In Children

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Healthcare providers diagnose bronchitis in children based on the medical history and physical examination. They check the child’s chest to detect wheezing or congestion during the examination. They also suggest diagnostic tests to rule out further complications (4) (6).

• Chest X-ray to detect any sign of infection in the tissues, organs, and bones. Chest X ray in acute bronchiolitis usually shows bilateral air trapping. It is not always required and depends on the discretion of the clinician.
• Pulse oximetry to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.
• SputumⁱA thick material combined with saliva that comes up from the mouth while coughing and nasal discharge sample test (culture and PCR ) to detect the germs causing the infection.
• Blood tests to check for blood cell count, blood culture if necessary .
• SpirometryⁱA test that determines how efficiently your lungs function by measuring the amount of air passing in and out while breathing to detect asthma signs in some children.

Treatment For Bronchitis In Children

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Acute bronchitis gets better on its own; however, doctors may suggest some treatments based on the child’s medical history, overall health, and the condition’s severity (1) (3) (4).

1. Antibiotics are often not prescribed since most bronchitis infections are viral. Nevertheless, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the causative agent is detected to be bacteria. Pediatricians may also suggest antibiotics if:

• There is an increased risk of pneumonia
• The child has a weak immune system
• There is a history of lung, heart, kidney, and liver disease

2. Acetaminophen or paracetamol is given to treat fever.

Point to consider

Ibuprofen may also be used for fever and mild pain (17).

3. Cough medications may be given to children when prescribed by the doctor. They should never be self prescribed.

4. Bronchodilators or other anti-asthma medicines may be suggested in case of persistent coughs and wheezing in kids. These medicines are given through inhalers or nebulizers, and some may be given orally also.

Discover the causes, symptoms, and treatments of acute bronchitis in this informative video. Get the facts on how to prevent and manage this common respiratory condition.

Home Remedies For Bronchitis

Bronchitis in children may be managed at home through the following remedies (5) (7).

• Allow them to rest well.
• Give plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, along with nutritious food.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier to help breathe comfortably.
• Use a saline nasal spray to decongest a stuffy nose. Parents may use a rubber suction bulb to clear mucus for young children.

Here are some natural remedies that may also work.

• Encourage older children to gargle with warm salt water as it helps to soothe the sore throat.
• Older children may also try steam inhalation which helps to loosen mucus. They may also turn on the bathroom shower and let the room fill with steam.
• Pineapple suppresses cough and loosens mucus as it contains a protein-digesting enzyme called bromelain.
• Grapes help to release mucus from the affected respiratory passages.
• Probiotics may be given to children to strengthen their immune systems. However, you should take a doctor’s opinion (8).

Quick tip

Honey may be used to reduce the severity and duration of a bronchitis cough, but avoid giving honey to children under one year because of the risk of botulismⁱA rare but severe disease caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum that produces a toxin that affects the nerves (2).

Prevention Of Bronchitis In Children

Prevention of bronchitis is possible by following these tips (1) (2) (9).

• Wash hands with soap and warm water.
• Do not touch the face often.
• Use your elbow or a tissue to cough or sneeze.
• Do not let children be around secondhand tobacco smoke.
• Encourage children to wear masks near irritants, such as automobile smoke, dust, or chemical fumes.
• Ensure that your child gets the flu shot every year and all other routine vaccines on time.

Things to know

Children with bronchitis can go to their child care center or attend school if they’re feeling well other than having bronchitis (2).

Illustration: Bronchitis In Kids: Treatment Symptoms And Home Remedies

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Infographic: Home Management And Remedies For Bronchitis In Children

Bronchitis and its symptoms subside on their own in a few days to weeks. However, following some home remedies and management tips, as mentioned in the following infographic, can help the affected children. Although cough medications and antibiotics, as prescribed by a physician, are necessary, home management can ensure a faster recovery.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Shaon MitraMD

Dr. Shaon Mitra is a consultant pediatrician and neonatologist with 17 years of experience. She is attached to several hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal, including Bellevue Clinic, ILS Hospitals Salt Lake, and Park View Superspeciality Hospital.

Read full bio of Dr. Shaon Mitra

Pragya BhargaviMSc, BEd

Pragya Bhargavi has been in the field of content research, writing and editing for over six years. Her passion for academics and science has enabled her to write creative as well as research-based articles. She has completed her Masters in Microbiology from Bangalore University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education (BEd) from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das