When should you worry about bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a common viral infection of the respiratory tract, most prevalent in the cold winter months and affecting babies and children up to around two years of age. Generally speaking, the condition is mild with symptoms clearing up without the need for treatment after around two or three weeks. However, there have been cases of children with severe symptoms requiring hospitalisation.

What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?

In their early stages, the symptoms of bronchiolitis are not dissimilar from those of the common cold, and may manifest as a runny nose or a cough. After a few days, as the condition advances, other symptoms such as slight fever, trouble feeding, and wheezing occur.

Should I worry about my child?

In most cases, bronchiolitis is not a serious condition, however you should seek medical help if you are worried, or your child is suffering from the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Constant high temperature
• Tiredness and irritability
• Feeding less than half the usual amount in the last few feeds
• Not peeing or pooing for twelve hours or more

Immediate medical help should be sought if your child is pale and sweaty, having serious trouble breathing, has blue lips and tongue, or there are long pauses in their breathing.

What causes bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which generally affects most children up to the age of two years old, mostly in babies between three and six months old. The virus is spread by the sneezes and coughs of an infected person.

The virus infects and inflames the bronchioles, which are the small airways in the lungs, therefore reducing the amount of airflow in the lungs which makes breathing difficult.

What is the best treatment for bronchiolitis?

Although there are no medications available that can kill the virus, fortunately bronchiolitis usually clears up in a few weeks.

It is important to keep infected children hydrated, and give them sufficient fluids in order to avoid dehydration. In some cases, if a high temperature is causing discomfort for your child, paracetemol or ibuprofen in order to keep their temperature down.

In some cases, it will be necessary to take your baby to hospital. This is the case for around 3% of babies who contract bronchiolitis in their first year.

Can bronchiolitis be prevented?

It’s generally true what they say, that prevention is better than cure, but bronchiolitis can be a tough one to avoid. That said, there are a number of things every parent can do to try and prevent their child getting bronchiolitis. 

In order to the risk of bronchiolitis it is best to:

• Frequently wash your and your child's hands
• Regularly clean or wipe toys and surfaces
• Don't let newborn babies near people with colds or flu
• Try and avoid exposing your child to tobacco smoke
• Keep infected children at home until they are better