What are the Symptoms of Bronchitis in Babies?

The symptoms of bronchitis in babies include breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, runny nose, bluish skin-color, fever, chills and may include a loss of appetite. While acute bronchitis symptoms will fade after a brief period, children with chronic bronchitis will suffer from symptoms for a longer period and symptoms will also recur. Bronchitis will also cause children to spit up mucus, particularly after coughing.

Bronchitis in babies is not always apparent in exactly the same way. From child to child, individual symptoms may vary. Some children may experience a fever and chills, while other babies may not. In cases of bronchitis in toddlers, children may indicate that pain or discomfort is felt in the throat or children may become less active due to a general feeling of discomfort, which includes muscle soreness and pain.

While bronchitis causes many children to eventually experience mucus-producing coughs, in the beginning stages a child may have a dry cough that does not produce any fluid. As the condition progresses, however, children will usually begin to produce an unusual amount of mucus after coughing. Although the symptoms of bronchitis in babies are treatable and often only last a couple of weeks, experts advise that babies be closely monitored, particularly when sleeping, as mucus can cause choking.

Acute bronchitis in babies generally follows a cold, but may also be caused by an infection or by coming in contact with specific allergens, such as dust, smoke and chemical fumes. Symptoms are temporary, but may lead to a more serious condition, such as pneumonia, if not effectively treated. Health experts recommend that the symptoms of bronchitis in children always be examined by a doctor to determine the cause, as well as to treat symptoms in order to avoid a more serious condition.

Chronic bronchitis in babies lasts for a longer period of time and can be experienced periodically throughout the child’s lifetime. Symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties, can happen at any time, but are usually more prone to occur during winter months. When chronic bronchitis in babies is diagnosed, parents are advised to learn how to identify what triggers an individual child’s symptoms and avoid these as often as possible. Some of these triggers may include tobacco smoke, air pollution, mold, damp and cold air, and dust. Following a common cold or flu bout, chronic bronchitis in children is also more likely to occur.