What is bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection in infants and young children. It occurs when the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles) become inflamed and blocked by mucus. This makes it harder for the baby to breathe.
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause. Children under 2 years old, especially those between 3 months and 6 months old, are most often affected by this disease. It peaks in winter and early spring.
Babies born prematurely have a much higher risk of complications from RSV. There is one recommended RSV vaccine for infants in this group.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis
The first signs of bronchiolitis look like symptoms of the common cold. Your child may have a runny nose, cough, and low-grade fever for a few days. After that, your child may start breathing rapidly and wheezing (making a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing).
Call your doctor if:
- Your child is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down.
- Your child breathes very quickly, more than 40 breaths in 1 minute.
- You may find your child’s skin pulls between the ribs with each breath, or your child has to sit up to be able to breathe.
- Your baby has heart disease or was born prematurely. In this case, call your doctor at the first sign of this disease.
If your child’s lips or fingertips look bluish, he may not be getting enough oxygen. Seek medical attention or go to the emergency room right away.
What causes bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause. The virus is spread when someone infected has direct contact with your child. This usually happens when an infected person sneezes or coughs near your child. It can also happen when your child touches toys or other objects that the sick person has touched.
How is bronchiolitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your child’s symptoms. He or she will examine your child and listen to their lungs. The doctor will check to see if your child is getting enough oxygen. They may take a sample of mucus or secretions from the nose and test for RSV. They may also order a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia.
Can bronchiolitis be prevented or avoided?
RSV and other viruses that lead to bronchiolitis are common and contagious. Older children and adults are also infected with the virus. But they usually don’t get sick like young children. The best way to prevent bronchiolitis is to keep your child virus-free.
- Keep your child away from other children or people with colds or other illnesses.
- Stay away from crowded areas where the virus can spread easily. This may include elevators or shopping malls.
- Wash your hands and your child’s hands often.
- Regularly disinfect surfaces, toys, and objects in your home.
If your child has bronchiolitis, keep him or her at home until the cough is almost gone. Make sure to wash your hands after caring for a sick child.
Treatment
Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus. That means antibiotics and other drugs will not help cure the disease. Usually it takes 2-3 weeks to heal. Meanwhile, symptoms can often be treated at home.
If your child is very ill, the doctor may suggest taking him or her to the hospital. This can happen if the person is struggling to breathe, doesn’t get enough oxygen, or becomes dehydrated. Your child may receive extra oxygen and fluids in the hospital. Doctors can suck deep into the person’s airway to clear mucus from their lungs. Most children hospitalized for bronchiolitis go home after a few days.
Living with bronchiolitis
In most cases, you can treat your child’s symptoms at home.
- Have your child drink plenty of fluids. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t like solid foods.
- Use a small saline solution and a suction machine to remove mucus from your nose.
- Use a cool nebulizer in the bedroom while your child is sleeping.
- Sit in the steamy bathroom with your child. Put hot water in the shower or tub and close the door.
- Ask the doctor if you can give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol for Infants) if he or she has a fever. Do not give your child aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare disease of the brain and liver.