Bronchiolitis
Overview
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that affects babies and children under 2. It's usually mild and can be treated at home, but it can be serious.
Symptoms
The early symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to a cold, such as sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, a cough and a slightly high temperature of 38C. A child with bronchiolitis may then get other symptoms, such as: breathing more quicklyfinding it difficult to feed or eatnoisy breathing (wheezing)becoming irritable Symptoms are usually worst between days 3 and 5, and the cough usually gets better in 3 weeks.
Causes
Bronchiolitis is caused by a viral infection, usuallyrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is very common and spreads easily in coughs and sneezes. Almost all children get it at least once before they're 2 years old. It's not usually serious, but some babies and children have a higher risk of getting bronchiolitis, particularly: babies under 6 months oldbabies and children who were born prematurelybabies and children with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
Treatment
There's no specific treatment for bronchiolitis. It usually gets better on its own and you can look after your child at home. But it can be serious in some children, who may need to be treated in hospital. givechildren's paracetamolto babies and children over 2 months old oribuprofento babies and children over 3 months old – but do not give aspirin to a child under 16 givechildren's paracetamolto babies and children over 2 months old oribuprofento babies and children over 3 months old – but do not give aspirin to a child under 16 try using salt water (saline) drops if your child's nose is blocked try using salt water (saline) drops if your child's nose is blocked keep your child upright as much as possible when they're awake – this will help them breathe more easily keep your child upright as much as possible when they're awake – this will help them breathe more easily encourage your child to drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice encourage your child to drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice do not smoke around your child do not smoke around your child do not try to lower your child's temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes do not try to lower your child's temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes
Prevention
There are some things you can do to lower the chances of your child getting bronchiolitis or spreading the viruses that cause it, such as: wash your hands and your child's hands oftenwash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularlyavoid sharing things like cutlery and cupsuse disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you've used themkeep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions It's also important not to smoke around your child. Children who breathe in cigarette smoke have a higher risk of getting bronchiolitis.