5 Major Types of Chest Infections in Kids

Bacterial or Viral infections in the lungs or air passages of your baby can happen after a cold or the flu, which is known as a chest infection.

Complications associated with a chest infection

Chest infections or respiratory tract infections may lead to severe complications in child patients. It can be very serious or life-threatening. It is important to know when to see a doctor and to take the required steps to prevent respiratory infections.

When we talk of upper respiratory infections, it includes the common cold, tonsillitis, the mild flu, laryngitis, and sinus infection. The most common respiratory infection is cough. There are two major types of chest infection, namely acute bronchitis and Pneumonia.

1. Bronchiolitis and Bronchiectasis in children

Children who suffer from Bronchiectasis get their lungs damaged and scarred. The problematic part is if your kid has Bronchiectasis, they usually tend to have it for life.

RSV is responsible for Bronchiolitis. Swelling and mucus production are natural in the small breathing tubes of baby lungs. Kids below two years of age mostly get affected during the winter. Mild cold-like symptoms caused by RSV make you recover in a week or two.

2. Pneumonia in children

Pneumonia arises depending on the complication of the microorganism that penetrates the lungs.

Community-acquired Pneumonia may give rise to lobar Pneumonia, pleural effusion, atypical Pneumonia, and emphysema. Young children are susceptible to mild and severe viral infections.

Sometimes children suffer from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitals which is known as hospital-acquired Pneumonia. Due to accidental inhalation of drink, food, or saliva, aspiration pneumonia occurs in the lungs in case the normal gag reflex is suffered.

As you go on searching for the Pneumonia specialist Manchester, you will find respiratory distresses can affect up to 7% of term neonates and depict one of the most common causes of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.

3. Asthma in kids

This disease is common in childhood. But, you can develop the disease at any point in your life. Congenital Asthma is when a person’s inherited genetic structure predisposes them to have asthma. Kids with asthma may develop eczema or hay fever. Family history with asthma exposes the vulnerability.

Home remedies

• saltwater baths
• milk and honey
• warm compress
• adequate rest
• inhaling vapour for blocked or runny noses.

4. Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects the lungs rather than any other body organ. The preventable disease is airborne. Paediatricians suggest a BCG vaccine to protect your child against TB as per the recommendations of the NHS. Babies, children, and adults below 35 years are more likely to get TB.

5. Children’s interstitial lung disease (chILD)

ChILD is not a single disease but a wide term for a group of rare lung diseases that can affect babies and teens. It has some similar symptoms like rapid breathing, chronic cough, and shortness of breath which ultimately affects the lungs.

Is chest infection viral or bacterial?

In case of a chest infection, mucus causes you to cough. If you suffer from a bacterial infection, the cough turns yellow, green, or a darker colour. If you cough up rusty-coloured sputum or blood, you must see a doctor. You can experience chest pain, rapid heart rate, or difficulty breathing.

Precautions to take

Chest infections in children are more likely to occur when they are recovering from another infection, like the flu. For this, maintaining good hygiene is extremely important when your child is ill. Infections can prevent exposure to secondary infections.

Babies and young children often suffer from chest infections due to their immature lungs and immune systems. Asthma is a serious health condition which needs to be treated on time. Chest infections aren’t as contagious as flu or colds. It is still crucial to keep infected children away from the high-risk groups, for example, those who have comorbidities, older people, pregnant women, etc.

As per Chest infection specialist Manchester, one needs 

• good hygienic practices
• vaccination
• abstaining from smoke exposure
• healthy lifestyle
• adequate sleep
• a well-nourished diet
• Sufficient fluid intake
• Routine exercise

Chest infection specialist Manchester asks you to

1. remember the basics
2. Sanitise smartly
3. Check fever
4. Remain hydrated
5. Stay energised
6. Check for retractions
7. Pick the right cough syrup
8. Stop the snot with saline
9. Cuddling
10. Keep it contained

Children have smaller airways, and their immune systems are not fully developed. Beware of the chest infection symptoms in children so that you can seek professional help from a doctor whenever necessary.

Symptoms of Chest Infections in Babies

The most obvious sign of a chest infection is a persistent cough that generally appears after the flu or a milder cold. Coughs caused by chest infections in child patients often sound chesty and wet.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Chest infections can also develop into more severe complications. Kids can develop cyanosis, which causes their lips or skin to turn blue because enough oxygen is not reaching their lungs. In critical cases, respiratory symptoms turn so severe that children require extra oxygen or help to breathe.

The complications of a child’s chest infection can turn out to be severe or even life-threatening. It is essential to know when to find a doctor and understand the requirements to prevent respiratory infections. The severity of Chest infections depends on the location of the respiratory system rather than the specific germ causing the illness. The implications depend on which parts of the body are targeted.

Usually, chest infections are relatively mild. And children recover by themselves in a few days or weeks. However, some can cause serious complications. Chest infection should be treated within a week to 10 days. Usually, the cough lasts for four to six weeks. However, in some cases, they can cause more serious symptoms that require hospital care.

Conclusion

Often, children suffer from mild to severe chest infections, of which bronchitis and Pneumonia need special attention. If the cough persists long, parents must consultChest infection specialist Manchester,who provides proper treatment at the right time.