B. Bronchopneumonia

Bronchopneumonia which predominates in childhood may be caused by pneumococci, streptococci or influenza bacilli. The site of the infection is limited to the pulmonary lobules. The onset of bronchopneumonia is usually insidious, its course is slower than in lobar pneumonia, and it may follow some other kind of respiratory infection (influenza, whooping cough, bronchitis). On auscultation and percussion bronchial breathing, fine moist râles and crepitation are found. Dyspnea and weakened cardiac activity are characteristic symptoms. Cough is usually present through the whole course of the disease, sometimes continuous, but more often intermittent. Due to the tendency of children to swallow the secretions from their lungs, it is unusual for them produce any expectoration. The temperature as a rule shows daily fluctuation and is usually expected to reach its maximum in the first few days.

Bed rest, abundance of fresh air, fluid, digestive diet and specific therapy with two antibiotics are usually helpful in controlling bronchopneumonia in children and infants.

The peculiarities of the child respiratory system should be fully appreciated, in assessing the child’s condition adult standards not to be applied for examining the child’s respiratory system.

9. Answer the questions using the text:

1. What disorders figure largely in the list of causes of death in infancy?

2. Why do disorders of the respiratory system still figure largely in the list of causes of death in infancy?

3. What part of the lung is affected in lobar pneumonia?

4. What is the onset of lobar pneumonia marked by?

5. What are characteristic features of cough, respiration and temperature in lobar pneumonia?

6. What do auscultation and percussion reveal in lobar pneumonia?

7. How many apices must one remember for a thorough examination of the lungs?

8. What does treatment of lobular pneumonia consists of?

9. What procedure tends to promote resolution of the consolidation in the lung?

10. What pneumonia predominates in childhood?

11. What is the site of infection in bronchopneumonia?

12. What is the course of bronchopneumonia?

13. What are the results of auscultation and percussion in bronchopneumonia?

14. What are characteristic symptoms of bronchopneumonia?

15. What treatment is helpful in controlling bronchopneumonia in children?

10. Give the English equivalents to the word combinations in brackets. Translate the sentences:

1. (Возбудителями долевой пневмонии) are pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci. 2. (Начало долевой пневмонии) is sudden. 3. Respiration is (поверхностное и учащенное). 4. Auscultation and percussion (обнаруживают бронхиальное дыхание), dullness, moist bubbling râles and crepitation. 5. (Локализация инфекции) is limited to the pulmonary lobules. 6. (На стадии выздоровления) the deeper respirations induced by exercises and open-air life. 7. The onset of bronchopneumonia is usually (скрытое). 8. (Незрелость дыхательных органов) is responsible for the incidence of diseases of these organs in children. 9. (Особенности детской дыхательной системы) should be fully appreciated. 10. Bed regimen, (обилие свежего воздуха), fluid, (легкоусваиваемая диета) and specific treatment are helpful in controlling bronchopneumonia in children and infants.