The right and left bronchi, secondary bronchi, and bronchioles are all included in the bronchial tree, which is inflamed in bronchitis. It may be localized or diffused, acute or chronic.

Treatment:

• Administration of antibiotic such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalosporin, and quinolones.
• Bronchodilators.
• Corticosteroids.
• Smoking cessation.

Nursing Care of Child with Bronchitis:

• Provide bed rest.
• Plenty of hot drinks.
• Encourage for continue breastfeeding if a child is very young.
• Avoid exposure to the cold, foggy and dusty environment.
• Proper management of a cough.
• Administer medicine as prescribed.
• Give health education to parents on:
• Prevention of recurrent attack of cold and cough,
• Nutritional care of children at home,
• About risk factors,
• Immunization,
• Maintain general hygiene.

Prevention:

• Adequate nutrition and rest during cold and flu,
• Proper hand washing,
• Avoiding chemical and environmental irritants,
• Immunization,
• Stop smoking,
• Give vitamin A, C , E,
• Avoid dairy products,
• Avoid sugar and eggs as they may increase the tendency to form mucus in lungs.

Types:

• Acute bronchitis,
• Chronic bronchitis,

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchi, most frequently brought on by an influenza-related respiratory tract infection. It is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting kids in preschool and elementary school. It happens more frequently during the winter and more frequently in male children.

Causes:

• Virus: common virus is Respiratory syncytial virus, rhino virus, influenza virus, measles virus.
• Other irritation fumes like tobacco, smoke, dust or pollutes the air.
• Bacteria: streptococci, pneumonia, H.influenza, staphylococcal

Pathophysiology:

This usually starts with an upper respiratory infection to the larynx and then goes into the trachea up to the bronchi and causes inflammatory changes with these structures. Due to inflammation and infection child will develop following clinical manifestation:

• Running nose,
• Dry hacking unproductive cough that is changed in greenish-yellow sputum.
• Sore throat,
• Pain or upper retrosternal discomfort,
• Fever up to 102 d with chills.
• Wheezing after a cough,
• Chest pain,
• Fatigue,
• Dyspnea,
• Malaise.

Diagnosis:

• History taking,
• Physical examination,
• Sputum cultures to detect bacterial infection.

Treatment:

• Advice for staying hydrated by drinking lots of hot liquids, getting enough sleep, abstaining from smoking, adding moisture to the air using a cold, wet humidifier, and taking acetaminophen for pain and fatigue
• If your cough is dry with no phlegm, use a cough suppressant.
• If a secondary bacterial infection is present, provide antibiotics: antibiotics-Amoxicillin
• Inhalers with bronchial dilators if the cough is severe.
• Avoiding passive smoking and quitting smoking.

Chronic Bronchitis

A persistent cough that produces sputum and mucus for at least three months over the course of two consecutive years is referred to as chronic bronchitis. It is a symptom of serious lung conditions that can only be managed and slowed down.

Clinical Presentation:

• Expectorating cough,
• Shortness of breath,
• Wheezing,
• Chest pain,
• Fever,
• Fatigue,
• Malaise.

Diagnosis:

• History taking,
• Physical examination,
• Chest x-ray,
• Sputum test,
• Blood test.

Treatment:

• Administration of antibiotic such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalosporin, and quinolones.
• Bronchodilators.