Bronchitis disease in children.. Difference between Viruses and Bacteria

Bronchitis in children:

Bronchitis is common in children who are less than two years old, especially during the fall and spring seasons, due to the rapid and sudden drop in temperature, as well as the large number of gatherings in enclosed spaces, which accelerates the spread of the infection. Therefore, in 2020, a decrease in the percentage of bronchitis infections among children was observed due to the quarantine. Health and physical distancing measures that reduced the spread of infection.

The respiratory system consists of upper airways, namely the nose, pharynx, larynx, and lower airways, which is the bronchus, which is divided into two bronchial tubes, one for transporting air to the right lung and the other for transporting air to the left lung. Blood and air, and in this area specifically, acute inflammation occurs that leads to swelling of the area and the release of secretions that accompany the dead cells that the virus kills. These secretions finally collect and lead to blockage of the bronchi, which makes it difficult for the breathing process and can lead to shortness of breath. The effect of this disease increases on children the younger they are. .

The difference between viruses and bacteria:

There live on the planet billions of bacteria scattered in the air, and they are living organisms that reproduce on their own and consist of one cell and a nucleus. There are beneficial bacteria, such as those in the stomach, which help in the process of digestion. On the other hand, there are harmful bacteria whose treatment is by using antibiotics, unlike the virus, which is a non-living organism that lives inside the cell either Animal, human, or bacteria, and the virus enters the cell to make other viruses that are identical to the original, and sometimes mutations may occur at the level of the virus, which explains the different symptoms of the common cold sometimes from one season to another.

Bronchitis is a viral disease, not a bacterial one, and parents make the mistake of giving antibiotics to infants in this case because excessive use of antibiotics will not cure the virus first and will lead to the development of the period to the formation of resistance against antibiotics, and finally the antibiotic can lead to masking some symptoms, which makes it difficult for The doctor subsequently make a correct diagnosis of the disease.

Factors:

Bronchitis in children occurs through the respiratory cellular virus (RSV) or through some other viruses such as the common cold and rhinovirus. The incidence of this disease is common in children who are not breastfed and exposed to passive smoking. The infection occurs either directly through the entry of the infected person’s droplets into the device. the child's respiratory tract or indirectly by touching virus-carrying tools.

Symptoms:

The incubation period of the virus lasts between two and 8 days, during which the infant is a carrier of the virus without any symptoms appearing, and after two days the symptoms begin to appear, starting with a high temperature in the child and a runny or blocked nose, then later symptoms of shortness of breath and wheezing appear, and in some cases signs of distress may develop. Breathing, cyanosis appears in the baby's mouth and hands, and he becomes unable to breastfeed, which are cases that require urgent intervention.

Diagnosis:

As soon as symptoms appear, the child must be taken to a specialist. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis is through a clinical examination. The doctor can quickly notice signs of rapid breathing in the child. We do not need additional tests such as blood tests or x-rays, unless there is a suspicion of a bacterial infection caused by bronchiolitis.

treatment:

When diagnosing bronchiolitis and the degree of development of the disease, the doctor decides the appropriate drug treatment, which can be by aerosol sometimes, and the child can be given other medications. In order to prevent children from contracting bronchiolitis or prevent the transmission of the infection to them, the health protocol must first be adhered to in the event that one of the child’s brothers is sick, while avoiding kissing and touching the child to prevent the transmission of infection. It is also recommended not to leave children in crowded places and not to expose them to passive smoking. Clean surfaces and toys that the child touches to avoid infection.