BRONCHITIS

Key words: Bronchitis, Cough, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Moraxella, Macrolides

The Authors review the clinical and ethiological spectrum of bronchitis. Cough is always the leading symptoms, and may be accompanied by rhinorrhea, wheezing, or vomitus. The combination of cough with other symptoms, as well as the duration of cough can contribute to diagnosis. Virol ethiologies are most likely to be the cause of cough persisting for less than 10 days, especially if fever is mild or absent. Beyond 10 days, if pertussis can be ruled out, possible ethiologies include Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Moraxella. As a consequence a course of macrolides is indicated. Sinusitis should be considered for chronic productive cough in older children. Prevention of recurrent bronchitis is based on prolonged, esclusive breastfeeding and avoidance of parental smoking. Environmental prophylaxis of house dust mite is indicated for atopic families.