What should I do if my child has a bronchitis cough?

  Pediatric acute bronchitis is often complicated or secondary to infections in other parts of the respiratory tract and is one of the most common and frequent diseases of infancy and childhood. Chronic bronchitis should be considered if there are repeated bronchial infections with a duration of more than 2 years and episodes lasting more than 3 months per year.  The main cause of acute bronchitis is infection. The pathogens include viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae or bacteria, or mixed infections. Environmental pollution, dirty air or frequent exposure to toxic gases can also irritate the bronchial mucosa and cause inflammation. Low immune function or specific qualities, such as malnutrition, rickets, allergic reactions, and chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis, can be triggers for this disease. Therefore, children with acute bronchitis should be seen in the hospital for routine blood and CRP tests to identify the cause. If frequent coughing prevents rest, expectorant medicine or nebulizer treatment can be given. Children with chronic bronchitis must pay attention to nutrition and strengthen outdoor activities and physical exercise. The cause of the disease, such as sinusitis and proliferative organitis, should be treated promptly. Children with sputum can be treated with aminoglycoside or guaifenesin to help expel the sputum.  Bronchitis belongs to the category of “cough” in Chinese medicine and can be divided into cough due to external sensation and cough due to internal injury. The treatment differs according to the clinical manifestations and the identification of different symptoms. However, regardless of the type of cough, Chinese herbal treatment will be clinically effective as long as the evidence is accurate.