Bronchitis is an annoying condition which can cost kids a loss of a lot of days of school. MayoClinic.com writes that bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is very common and often develops from a cold or other respiratory infection. Chronic bronchitis is a more serious condition, with a constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes and is often due to smoking.
Richard Franki has reported for Pediatric News "Bronchitis Named the Most Commonly Treated Condition in Kids." According to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality acute bronchitis was the most commonly treated condition in U.S. children aged 17 years and under in 2008.
At a cost of $2.7 billion in 2008 a total of 11.9 million children received treatment for acute bronchitis. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) said that the five most commonly treated conditions, bronchitis, asthma, trauma-related disorders, otitis media, and mental disorders, accounted for 60.4% of all ambulatory visits among noninstitutionalized children. For the year total spending on all conditions in children was $114.5 billion.
Photographer: Sujin Jetkasettakorn
