Bronchitis in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. When these tubes are inflamed, they swell and produce mucus. The swollen tubes and increased mucus make your child cough and may make it harder to breathe.

Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and often follows a cold or flu. Antibiotics most often do not help and they may cause harm. Bronchitis lasts about 2 to 3 weeks in children who are otherwise healthy .

Children who live with people who smoke around them may get repeated bouts of bronchitis.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Make sure your child rests. Keep your child at home until any fever is gone.
• Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine.
• Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, pain, or fussiness. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Be careful with cough and cold medicines. Don't give them to children younger than 6, because they don't work for children that age and can even be harmful. For children 6 and older, always follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how much medicine to give and how long to use it. And use the dosing device if one is included.
• Be careful when giving your child over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read the labels to make sure that you are not giving your child more than the recommended dose. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Your doctor may prescribe an inhaled medicine called a bronchodilator. This medicine can make it easier to breathe. Help your child use it as directed.
• If your child has problems breathing because of a stuffy nose, squirt a few saline (saltwater) nasal drops in one nostril. Then have your child blow their nose. Repeat for the other nostril. For infants, put a drop or two in one nostril, and wait for 1 to 2 minutes. Using a soft rubber suction bulb, squeeze air out of the bulb, and gently place the tip of the bulb inside the baby's nose. Relax your hand to suck the mucus from the nose. Repeat in the other nostril.
• Keep your child away from smoke. Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke in your house.
• Wash your hands and your child's hands often so you do not spread the disease.