Symptoms of bronchitis in children

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 23, 2025
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Bronchitis tends to manifest suddenly and with typical symptoms in children compared to adults. In cases of acute bronchitis, it can lead to fever, chills, and fatigue. Typical respiratory symptoms include coughing, expectoration, and difficulty breathing. Severe cases may also show signs of oxygen deprivation such as cyanosis of the lips and changes in nail color; additionally, scattered dry rales can be heard in the lungs, and when there is more sputum, wet rales can be heard at the base of the lungs. It is necessary to promptly choose penicillin-type antibiotics to control the infection and use medications to dilute the sputum for symptomatic treatment. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific conditions.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Does bronchitis cause a fever?

Bronchitis, a condition that can cause symptoms of fever if it is acute inflammation. During the acute phase of inflammation, the pathogens in the body stimulate the body's temperature regulation center, leading to chills and fever. Clinically, there may also be an acute facial expression, accompanied by complications such as difficulty breathing and cyanosis of the lips. If it is chronic bronchitis, fever symptoms generally do not occur, with the main symptoms being cough, sputum production, and difficulty breathing. Diagnosis requires combination with laboratory test results, and treatment measures and plans should be taken according to the cause of the disease.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of bronchitis

Bronchitis refers to an inflammatory lesion of the bronchial mucosa caused by biological, physical, chemical stimuli, or allergies, among other factors. Bronchitis generally occurs sporadically without epidemic tendencies. It is more common in elderly and frail patients. The primary clinical symptoms include coughing and expectoration, often occurring in cold seasons or when there are significant changes in temperature. Clinically, bronchitis can present with fever in some patients. Initially, there may be a dry cough or a small amount of sputum, which can increase in volume over time. Some patients may experience worsening coughs occasionally accompanied by bloody sputum. The cough can persist for two to three weeks. If it persists, it can develop into chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, which should be taken seriously.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Symptoms of bronchitis in children

Pediatric bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial mucosa caused by various pathogens. Clinical presentations commonly begin with symptoms of upper respiratory infection such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, or low-grade fever, followed by coughing as the main symptom. Initially, the cough is dry, later accompanied by phlegm. Symptoms can be more severe in infants and young children, often including fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, generally without systemic symptoms. Auscultation of the lungs reveals coarse breath sounds, with fixed and scattered dry rales, and medium to coarse moist rales. Infants and young children often have difficulty expelling phlegm, which may be audible in the throat and lungs as a rattling sound. If the infant or young child has wheezing bronchitis accompanied by eczema, or other allergic histories, they may develop pronounced symptoms of difficulty breathing, and may even progress to asthma.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How to treat bronchitis in children

The main symptoms of bronchitis in children are coughing and excessive phlegm, and there may also be symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Generally, when caring for a sick child at home, it’s important to pay attention to their diet. The diet should be light and easy to digest, with an appropriate increase in nutrition. Foods that are too sweet, too salty, or cold should be avoided. Also, avoid giving the child big tonic foods or foods that are rich and greasy, like fish, shrimp, or crab, which can cause allergies. Additionally, ensure the air has adequate humidity, typically maintaining it between 55%-65%. Let the child drink warm water frequently, change positions regularly, and pat their back to help expel phlegm. Proper rest is also important. If the child is really uncomfortable, has persistent coughing, or shows clear signs of fever and irritability, it is advised to go to the hospital promptly, so a doctor can assess the child’s condition and treat them accordingly.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a common clinical disease, which can generally be divided into acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis in clinical practice. Acute bronchitis often has a sudden onset, with symptoms such as coughing and expectoration; some people may also experience fever, chest tightness, and wheezing. Typically, the course of the disease lasts two to three weeks. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, has a longer duration, with a more gradual onset and symptoms of recurrent coughing and expectoration, and even chest tightness. The annual duration of the disease is more than three months, with a typical onset lasting over two years, making it very long and difficult to control.