Free Medical Articles

WHAT IS A CHEST INFECTION?
Any infection of the lower respiratory tract is termed a chest infection. It is common for this to. occur during early childhood because the immune system hasn't matured.

Chest infections can be caused by any af a number af viruses or bacteria, although in children the cause is nearly always a virus. Chest infections often result from the spread of an infection dawn the airway fallowing a previous problem, such as a cold. Later, a secondary bacterial infection may attack the build-up of mucus.

• The severity af the symptoms af a chest infection depend an the virus or bacterium responsible and the part af the airway infected. Generally infections involve a fever and over-production of mucus in the chest as a response to. Irritation by the infecting organism. This causes wheezing, breathlessness and a general feeling of ill-health.
• The most common chest infections are croup, bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Chest infections tend to be more serious the lower down the airway they attack, and the most serious of all is pneumonia, which attacks the alveoli, the air sacs at the base af the lungs.

In children, primary chest infections are almost always contracted by contact with infected mucus. This may happen when an affected child sneezes or coughs near another child.

Treatment at home
Since the majority of chest infections in children are caused by viruses, treatment of the symptoms is usually the only option.

If your child has a temperature of 37.8°C (l00°F) or more give children's paracetamol not aspirin and follow the dosage instruction carefully.  Ask your pharmacist or  doctor if you are unsure.

Keep the air in your child’s room moist with a humidifier or place wet towels over a radiator.

Give your child small, frequent amounts of fluid to prevent dehydration.

If necessary, lie your child over you knee and pat her back gently to encourage the mucus to be brought up

Let your baby or child sleep in a sitting position to make her breathing more comfortable.

Don’t give babies and small children over the counter remedies without first checking with your pharmacist or  doctor.

Make sure that you keep your child away from other children far at least a week to avoid spreading the infection. Stress the importance af good hygiene and frequent hand-washing to your family.

When to call the doctor
You should call your doctor  without delay if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• She has difficulty breathing or breathing is rapid.
• Her temperature rises above 39°C (102°F) or has been high for more than 24 hours.
• There is any tinge of blue around the lips.
• There is any drooling or difficulty in swallowing
• She is not feeding or is bringing up all her feeds.

Are antibiotics helpful?
Many parents feel cheated if their child is not prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection, but the majority af chest infections in children are caused by viruses, an which antibiotics have no. effect. However, sometimes a secondary, 'opportunistic' infection may set in, requiring antibiotics.

Occasionally, busy doctors prescribe antibiotics far chest infections even when they are unnecessary because some parents behave, wrongly, that their children need them. Unfortunately, indiscriminate use of antibiotics reduces their effectiveness when they are really needed.

Croup
Croup affects the upper part of the airways of the chest, and causes a characteristic and worrying cough. It is caused by a number of viruses, including those that also result in colds and flu.

• The hacking cough is often described as sounding like a seal barking. The voice is hoarse, with a sore throat and raised temperature, and there may be a crowing sound as a breath is taken.
• Croup usually lasts for two to three days, but mucus and a cough may continue for several weeks.

IMPORTANT: croup can sometimes be severe and the onset quite sudden. If your child is distressed and her condition is not eased by steam after 15-20 minutes, seek medical help or take her to the nearest accident and emergency department.

Bronchitis
In children, bronchitis is a less serious problem than in adults, and rarely becomes chronic.

Bronchitis is characterized by a cough, over­production of mucus and wheezing. The wheezing is caused by a swelling of the mucus membranes lining the bronchial tubes, which are already clogged by mucus, making the airway narrower and breathing difficult. There is also a fever, sickness and a colouration of the phlegm that is brought up if a secondary bacterial infection sets in.

Recurrent or persistent bronchitis may be a sign of underlying asthma.

Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a serious infection. Sometimes affected .babies and toddlers may need to go to hospital because their bronchioles are so small that they can easily become blocked.

Bronchiolitis usually appears in near-epidemics during the winter and is more severe in babies under one year old.

The condition usually starts as a cold, with a raised temperature. After a few days, the virus travels down the airways, causing a higher fever, over-production of mucus and swelling of the mucus membranes, which causes wheezing and breathlessness. In severe cases, the child may have serious breathing difficulties rather like those of an asthma attack - and start to turn blue as a result of oxygen deprivation. This is a medical emergency.

In less serious cases, bronchiolitis usually clears up in seven to 1 0 days.

Bronchiolitis is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (R5V). In severe cases, an infected baby may need to be hospitalized.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is the most serious chest infection. Young children and babies are especially vulnerable to this infection because their immune systems have not matured.

The pneumonia infection attacks the small air sacs (alveoli) and the tissue of the lungs, causing a build ­up of fluid. This then prevents oxygen from passing through the lungs into the bloodstream.

Symptoms of pneumonia will vary, depending on its cause. For example, if a child contracts viral or bacterial pneumonia, she will develop a cough, chest pain (especially when inhaling), fever and loss of appetite

Pneumonia can be diagnosed by a blood sample or a chest X-ray. Mild cases can be treated at home. Severe cases will require hospitalization.

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.