Bronchitis in toddlers is likely to be more contagious as opposed to other age groups. Toddlers, as we are all aware, are at a learning stage. In the process of learning therefore, they are prone to lay their hands on practically anything or everything they come across. The risk of being infected is at its all time high during this stage.
Risk Factors for Bronchitis in Toddlers
Bronchitis in Toddlers – Natural factors
The fact that this is a learning stage in one’s life increases the risk of coming contact of contaminated objects and surfaces in a bid to know more about them. Worst still, toddlers use the sense of taste more often than not. So, anything they come across find its way onto the mouth eventually. A situation may arise where the object they taste is contaminated with either the virus or bacteria causing bronchitis.
Most toddlers also play together in groups. This further aggravates infection risk of bronchitis in toddlers. Should one of the kids in a play group be infected, the likelihood of the rest of the group following suit is high.
Coughing by kids most of the time happens unchecked. A situation where one of the kids is infected, others around them may be infected too. Coughing is reportedly one of the major contagious factors of bronchitis in toddlers.
Bronchitis in Toddlers - Artificial Factors
If you are a parent working in a factory that emits fumes into the air, then you have a reason to worry more not only for your own health, but also that of your kid. Chances are the factory you are working in manufactures certain chemicals. The toddlers will in one way or another come into contact with the chemicals or even inhale the fumes from the factory. This is a practical risk factor for bronchitis in toddlers.
Parents who smoke cigarettes expose their kids to the danger of being infected with bronchitis. The smoke fumes choke the kids and in case of an infection, the fumes may further complicate the effects of bronchitis.
Mitigating Measures for Bronchitis in Toddlers
Parents, guardians, teachers and practically any adult in charge of the toddlers should ensure that the objects they use for play or those they come across are clean and free of any contamination. Playing surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly before and after play using detergents.
Bronchitis in toddlers can also be controlled from further spread if kids are made to play in small manageable groups. Large groups increase the risk of infection that cannot be managed easily.
To avoid bronchitis in toddlers there should be a constant check on children’s activities. If there are children living and playing in factory environments, their movement should be checked. If possible, they should have a designated or demarcated area for play and their play activity should be monitored throughout. This way, the risk of inhaling irritating fumes and coming into contact with some of the chemicals is greatly reduced.
Smoking parents should not expose their children to the fumes from the cigarette. In fact they should have a separate room far away from the children’s room where they can smoke from. In any case, smoking within the vicinity of the house which apparently increases the risk of bronchitis in toddlers, should be totally discouraged.
Treatment
To ensure effective management and treatment, home based care or hospital care can be pursued depending on the extent of infection. Home based care is generally sufficient for healthy kids diagnosed with viral bronchitis, while severe cases and those caused by bacteria may require hospital attention. In chronic and advanced cases of bronchitis in toddlers hospital care should always be the best option.
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