The examination for bronchitis is based on the patient’s personal symptoms. The patient is first interviewed, and a physical examination of the chest is then performed. For instance, ‘crackles’ can indicate a bacterial infection. It is also important to identify narrowing of the bronchial tubes at an early stage. Infants and young children are often affected, as their respiratory organs are still immature.
Whether acute or chronic bronchitis: as specialists in respiratory treatment, we do everything we can to support you and your child.
If narrowing of the airways (obstruction) is suspected, a lung function test should be performed. This can identify or prevent someone developing chronic bronchitis, for example. Lung function is tested using spirometry. Here the patient blows into a special measuring device that shows different lung function values.
Sometimes a bacterial infection follows a viral infection. The doctor can decide if antibiotics will help.
Children can also sometime have respiratory symptoms because they have breathed in a foreign body. To rule this out, an X-ray examination may be required. An X-ray of the chest is also essential if pneumonia is suspected or to rule out a lung tumour.
If chronic bronchitis with narrowed airways (chronic obstructive bronchitis) is suspected, it is important to rule out other diseases, such as bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema or lung cancer. The lung specialist asks the patient about their age, weight loss, smoking habits or contact with harmful substances. The lung function test is also used to exactly determine the severity of chronic obstructive bronchitis. X-rays, bronchoscopies or a blood gas analysis can provide further information.
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