How to Treat Bronchitis in Infants

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchii in the lungs, and is either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is typically caused by a viral infection, while chronic bronchitis has a variety of causes, including exposure to smoke or other irritants, allergies, or various diseases. Children are more likely to develop acute bronchitis than adults, because their airways are narrower and their immune systems are weaker.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of bronchitis include a cough with mucus, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, fever, chills, and chest discomfort. In infants, the fever may run as high as 102 degrees F. Home treatment is generally sufficient for healthy infants diagnosed with viral bronchitis, while severe cases and those caused by bacteria may require hospital care.

Things You'll Need

• Cool-mist vaporizer
• Saline solution
• Bulb syringe
• Fever reducer, infant drops

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Instructions

• 1

  Continue breast or bottle feeding your infant normally, if possible. Adequate fluid intake is especially important during times of illness, and the fever and mucus production associated with bronchitis in infants can increase the risk of dehydration.

• 2

  Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your infant's room to loosen mucus and improve breathing. Clean the vaporizer daily to avoid mold growth, which may worsen symptoms or lead to other medical problems.

• 3

  Clear nasal congestion by loosening mucus with a saline solution and then removing it from the nose with a bulb syringe. If you are unsure of how to properly do this, ask your pediatrician for instructions.

• 4

  Give your infant acetaminophen to ease sore throat pain and reduce fever. Make certain to follow the instructions included on the product label. Ibuprofen can also be given.

• 5

  Avoid giving infants aspirin to treat a fever associated with bronchitis due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition associated with aspirin use in children under 16 years of age.

• 6

  Give your infant a doctor-approved or prescribed expectorant to loosen and bring up mucus. This will help clear the airways and make breathing easier.

• 7

  Treat your infant with a course of antibiotics if your pediatrician believes the bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Use the entire course of medication, even if your infant's symptoms improve after a few days.

• 8

  Watch for signs that your infant's condition may be worsening, such as wheezing, vomiting, increased fever, decreased urination, lethargy, and rapid or shallow breathing. If your infant's nostrils flare when he breathes, or if there is a drawing in of the chest and neck with each breath, call your doctor right away.

• 9

  Take your infant to the emergency room if you notice a blue discoloration around the lips or fingernails, or if your infant is difficult to wake. Call an ambulance if your child stops breathing, even if breathing resumes on its own after a few minutes.