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Bronchitis in children

Approved by our Clinical team | Mar 30, 2021

If your child has a hacking cough along with the symptoms of a cold or sinusitis, they may have a chest infection called bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can affect any age group, but is most common in children 5 and under.

Here we look at the symptoms and causes of bronchitis, and how it can affect children. Most cases of acute bronchitis don’t need any treatment, as they resolve within a few weeks. But if your child has acute bronchitis, there are lots of things you can do to ease their symptoms.

What is bronchitis?

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Bronchitis is an infection in the ‘bronchi’ (the main large airways of the lungs). These airways become inflamed and irritated, producing mucus or phlegm. The body develops a cough, primarily to rid the body of this phlegm.

Bronchitis can be categorised as ‘acute’ or ‘chronic’. Acute bronchitis is the type most commonly found in children. It usually lasts up to three weeks before clearing up. It can also affect adults of any age.

Chronic bronchitis is a long term productive cough (meaning the cough produces phlegm) that lasts for months and recurs over a period of years. This condition is more commonly found in people over the age of 40, or as part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

According to the NHS, a bout of acute bronchitis is also more common in winter, since it often develops after you’ve had a cold, sore throat or flu.

What causes bronchitis in children?

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Viral and bacterial infections

Acute bronchitis is mostly caused by viral infections. These viruses – such as colds or flu – tend to be extremely contagious, and can be spread by coughing or sneezing ‘droplets’ of the virus. So it’s important to ensure you’re maintaining good hand hygiene, and cleaning surfaces when caring for your child. Bacterial bronchitis is caused by bacteria in the bronchi.

Trigger by breathing irritant substances

Bronchitis can be triggered by breathing in air that contains high levels of pollution, chemicals, or smoke. These substances irritate and inflame the lungs. If a child is exposed to these irritants – such as secondhand smoke in the household, this could be a cause of bronchitis. Smoking is also the most common cause for developing chronic bronchitis. Get help with stopping smoking and discover our range of nicotine products to help you quit today.

Exposure to different types of materials or allergens

If your child has aller g ies to substances such as dust or chlorine, then exposure can trigger bronchitis. This is also true of other irritant materials, such as certain textile fibres.

Symptoms of bronchitis

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The main symptom of bronchitis is a hacking cough, but other symptoms may resemble a cold or the flu. Your child may also experience other signs of bronchitis such as:

A cough which produces mucus or phlegm. This may be clear, yellow or grey in colour.
Aches and pains (especially in the chest when coughing)
Fatigue
Sore throat
Headache
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Blocked or runny nose

Ease symptoms of bronchitis in children

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Stay hydrated

If your child’s temperature is on the high side, it’s important they drink plenty of fluids, as having a fever can make them more susceptible to dehydration. Drinking lots of fluids can also help thin the mucus in their chest, making it easier to cough up. Your child may also have a sore throat when they have bronchitis, and drinking plenty of fluids can help make it feel better. Give them healthy drinks such as water, herbal teas, fruit juices, vegetable juices or try hot water honey and lemon. However remember that honey isn’t suitable for children under 1 years old.

Eat well

Make sure your child eats plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables – the nutrients help to support our bodies when we feel poorly. Now’s also a good time to cook lots of soups and stews, as the extra liquids can guard against dehydration and help clear the chest. If your child like spicy foods, try having some dishes made with chillies or cayenne pepper, as these spices are thought to help make mucus thinner.

Rest

Your child should take things easy when they’re feeling poorly with bronchitis. Make sure they get a good night’s sleep – prop them up in bed with an extra pillow or two to make breathing easier – and encourage them to take a nap during the daytime if they need to. Once your child feels a bit better, do some gentle exercise with them to get them moving, as any type of physical activity should make them breathe more deeply and help get the chest clear of mucus.

Breathe deeply

Try to encourage your child to take some deep breaths every so often. This helps to keep the mucus in their chest moving, which means they may be able to cough it up more easily. Aim for four or five deep breaths once an hour or so, followed by a big cough to clear their chest.

When to take your child to a doctor

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In most cases of acute bronchitis, it will usually resolve by itself. If it is caused by a virus, then antibiotics will not be effective, so this can take up to 3 weeks. Your child may be feeling better sooner, but the cough may linger. If you are concerned about your child, or any symptoms, always seek medical advice.

Especially if your child has:

an underlying condition, such as asthma or a heart/lung condition.
trouble breathing.
blood in the mucus.
high fever.
repeated bouts of bronchitis.

It’s always a worrying time when your child is unwell. But it is worth remembering that most cases of acute bronchitis will resolve by itself, and we have plenty of options to help ease the symptoms.

As well as advice on preventing seasonal colds and flu in children, we also have advice on many common childhood ailments, such as glandular fever, Strep A and skin conditions such as rashes.