How long should a 9-month-old baby take medication for bronchitis?
Disease description:
Our baby is just 9 months old. A few days ago, we noticed that she was unwell, and after visiting the hospital, she was diagnosed with bronchopneumonia. I would like to ask, for this condition, how long does she need to take medication in order to recover?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The duration of medication for bronchitis in a 9-month-old baby needs to be determined based on the baby's condition, cause of illness, and treatment response.
I. General situations
1. Viral infection: The course of a viral infection usually lasts about 7 days. Therefore, for bronchitis caused by a viral infection, the baby typically requires medication for around 7 days.
2. Bacterial infection: If the baby's bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection, medication is generally required for about 7 days when antibiotics are used. However, the exact duration of treatment should be determined according to the doctor's advice and the baby's specific condition.
II. Special situations
1. Mycoplasma infection: If the baby's bronchitis is caused by mycoplasma infection, the treatment duration may be slightly longer. Mild cases may require medication for about 5 days, while more severe cases might need treatment for a week or longer.
2. Severity of illness: The severity of the baby's illness will also affect the duration of medication. If the illness is mild, the treatment period may be relatively short; however, if the illness is severe, the treatment duration may be comparatively longer.
III. Medication precautions: When administering medication to the baby, parents must strictly follow the doctor's recommendations and medication instructions, and should not adjust the dosage or change the treatment duration on their own.
