Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Young Children
The term acute lower respiratory tract infection is used here to embrace acute viral bronchiolitis as well as acute viral and bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics are indicated in the empiric treatment of pneumonia and are not usually indicated for the treatment of bronchiolitis. If it is not possible to confidently diagnose acute viral bronchiolitis clinically or if there are concerns about bacteria
The term acute lower respiratory tract infection is used here to embrace acute viral bronchiolitis as well as acute viral and bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics are indicated in the empiric treatment of pneumonia and are not usually indicated for the treatment of bronchiolitis.
If it is not possible to confidently diagnose acute viral bronchiolitis clinically or if there are concerns about bacterial co-infection it is recommended that the World Health Organisation (WHO) treatment guidelines should be followed.1
Nebulize all wheezing children with a β2-agonist and if a good clinical response is noted and wheezing is recurrent, a diagnosis of asthma should be considered.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Paediatrics, 2023 Edition
Chapter 15: Respiratory System, Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections In young Children