Common Paediatric Respiratory Issues in the UK

Parents are always worried about preventing their babies from catching a virus. Chest infections can inflame the alveoli in the lungs of children. It develops pus resulting in chills, fever, cough, and breathing issues. Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and chemicals like oil are responsible for the illness.

Dr Sarika Husain works as the board-certified paediatrician at Private Paediatric Respiratory Physician in UK, and a mom of one has advised her tips for the most common paediatric respiratory issues children usually suffer. Below are some of the bronchial issues where lung condition amongst children deteriorates.

Asthma in children

This common childhood disease is common in childhood. However, old people too can develop it at any point in their life. Do you know that people over the age of 50 can be diagnosed with lung disorders? Childhood and adult-onset asthma both have the same symptoms and similar treatments. On the other hand, Congenital Asthma takes place when a person’s inherited genetic structure enables them to get it. Around three-fifths of asthma, cases are genetic.

Asthma may run in the family, but not everybody in a family will acquire it. Victims of asthma may have hay fever or eczema. A kid with a family history of asthma is more likely to acquire the disease. 

● Pneumonia in children 

Pneumonia depends on the intricacy of the microorganism which penetrates the lungs.

1. Community-acquired Pneumonia leads to lobar Pneumonia, pleural effusion, atypical Pneumonia, and emphysema. Younger kids can suffer from mild to severe viral infections.

2. however, the more serious one is Hospital-acquired Pneumonia which is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that sick children get it. Persons on ventilators or in intensive care units are more likely to get it.

3. Children receiving treatment in outpatient clinics may suffer from healthcare-acquired Pneumonia. In this bacterial born disease, the bugs responsible are supposed to be antibiotic-resistant.

4. Another category is aspiration pneumonia, which happens due to accidental inhalation of drink, food, or saliva into the lungs when normal gag reflex is disturbed. 

Your kid can attain Pneumonia at birth as this is one of the notable spurs of neonatal respiratory distress. Remember that respiratory distresses can affect up to 7% of term neonates.  

Bronchiectasis in children

Children may suffer from such chest infections where airways in their lungs become damaged and scarred. Bronchiectasis stays for life. 

Bronchiolitis and RSV

Here, a child’s lung is attacked by RSV or respiratory syncytial virus. They suffer from swelling and mucus production in the small breathing tubes of your kid’s lungs. Children below two years mostly suffer from bronchiolitis during the winter. 

On the contrary, RSV causes mild flues. Don’t worry, and your baby will recover in a week or two.

Bronchiolitis obliterans in kids

This is a clinical syndrome marked by progressive dyspnea and cough with the absence of parenchymal lung disease. Pulmonary function testing in radiographic studies reveals an obstructive ventilatory defect. A bronchodilator helps in such a situation.

 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

This is a chronic lung disease that affects newborns when they are born prematurely and in dire need of oxygen therapy. In BPD, the lungs and bronchi are damaged, causing tissue destruction in the alveoli.

Children’s interstitial lung disease (chILD)

ChILD is not a single disease but a wide term for a group of rare lung ailments that can affect your children. The symptoms have similarities with chronic cough, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing. Protect your child’s lungs from such a condition.  

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM)

CPAM is a formation mass of abnormal fetal lung tissue at the time of pregnancy. Respiratory physicians detect the lesion in one lung that will stop it from functioning as normal lung tissue. Lesions vary in size and appearance.

Cystic fibrosis

This is an inherited life-threatening disease which can damage your kid’s digestive system and lungs. It can affect digestive juices, the cells producing mucus, and sweat. Thick fluids can plug up kids’ tubes, ducts, and passageways. Unfortunately, this is an incurable condition but consult physicians to control it.

Tuberculosis 

In this disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis attacks the lungs rather than any other body organ. The airborne disorder is preventable. As per the recommendations of the NHS, paediatricians ask you to get a BCG vaccine and protect your child against TB. Kids and adults below 35 years are more likely to be infected by this. You are in the risk group when you are living in an area with a high rate of TB with your babies or have exposure to close family members working or residing in countries with a high TB rate.

There are numerous viruses out there that can make your kid get eight to twelve colds a year. The common cold is very common. Sniffles are not a cause of stress. Remember, the common cold takes three to seven days to heal. According to Paediatric Respiratory Physicians in Manchester, good hygienic practices, vaccination, abstaining from smoke exposure, and practising a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, a well-nourished diet, and routine exercise are beneficial to prevent lung disorders.

Below are the tips for dealing with the issue.

1. Remembering the basics

2. Sanitising smartly

3. Checking Fever 

4. Remaining hydrated

5. Staying energised

6. Checking for retractions

7. Picking the right cough syrup

8. Stopping the snot with saline

9. Cuddling could be a cure

10. Keeping it contained

However, people near Manchester City, never delay hiring the Respiratory Paediatrician in Manchester when you feel it’s time to.

For a parent, it is just the sniffles or something more critical. Consulting a paediatrician is important before you decide to go somewhere as the doctor can guide you to determine where to go next or whom to contact whenever necessary. Paediatricians ask you to separate your baby’s bathroom apart from other kids and bar him from sharing toys, utensils, and anything else for a few days.