- AdventHealth Centra Care
If your child has been coughing, tired and maybe has complained of a feeling of soreness or tightness in their chest… then What’s Going Around may have hit home. Bronchitis is on the rise and it can be contagious. AdventHealth Centra Care doctors have seen an increase in children with bronchitis.
Bronchitis is inflammation of the large air passages in the lungs. It occurs when the mucous lining in the airways becomes irritated and swollen. Symptoms of bronchitis include a dry cough that develops into a cough with mucus, wheezing, fatigue, chest tightness and a mild fever, sometimes with chills. If you suspect your child has bronchitis, there are some things you can do at home help with symptoms:
- Over-the-counter medications can help pain, fever and cough
- A humidifier can help break up mucus
- Give them lots of fluid
- Make sure they get plenty of rest
- Keep them away from tobacco smoke
Acute bronchitis is contagious so washing your hands and keeping them away from your face is an important step in prevention. Bronchitis often follows an upper respiratory infection. An annual, seasonal flu shot is recommended because many cases of bronchitis are also a result a flu infection.
If your symptoms worsen, you have shortness of breath, or a fever that lasts more than four or five days, you should contact your physician or head to the closest Centra Care.
Help prevent bronchitis by avoiding:
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