What are bronchitis and pneumonia?
For young children, Bronchitis is a less severe form of Pneumonia, but it is from Bronchitis that Pneumonia develops if it is left unchecked. Bronchitis is basically an infection of the bronchial tubes so is a respiratory infection. Babies and small children are susceptible to Bronchitis because their immune systems are not mature enough to handle all the winter infections that come their way. Bronchitis can either be chronic or acute; acute Bronchitis only lasts a few days and Chronic Bronchitis can last for months, sometimes years. What are the Symptoms of Bronchitis? Typical symptoms of Bronchitis include: A dry cough A headache Chills Fever Wheezing and sometimes a tightness of the chest Mucus being brought up when your child coughs How will it be diagnosed? A GP will take a look at your child and probably listen to his chest with a stethoscope to determine whether he has the infection. A further X-ray may be needed if Bronchitis is suspected. Is it contagious? Unfortunately not on
