BronchiolitisBronchiolitis is a common cause of respiratory distress during the winter months in babies, particularly those under 6 months of age.
This page gives general information about causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention in at risk infants.
What is Bronchiolitis?It is an illness that causes respiratory distress (breathing problems) in infants, particularly those under 6 months. Signs you may see of respiratory distress in your baby include:
Babies will often also have poor feeding. What causes it?It is usually caused by a virus called RSV, or Respiratory Syncitial Virus. Occasionally, other viruses, such as parainfluenzae or human metapneumovirus, may cause a similar illness. Bronchiolitic epidemics occur in the winter months. Back to listWhat symptoms do babies have?A baby will often have a mild fever and a runny nose for a couple of days. Then he will develop cough and difficulty in breathing. You will see some signs of respiratory distress as he breathes.Sometimes babies are unable to feed properly because they are having so much breathing difficulty. Feeding takes energy and when babies are struggling to breathe they have no energy left for feeding. Back to listWhat is the treatment for Bronchiolitis?
Do all babies need to be admitted to hospital?No. Most babies will have minor symptoms and will get better by themselves. Only babies who have a lot of difficulty breathing or feeding will need to be admitted. Back to listWhat symptoms should make me worried enough to bring my baby to hospital?Your baby may need hospital care if:
Are there treatments to prevent Bronchiolitis?They are best reserved for infants who have been born prematurely and who have chronic lung disease. Back to listCan babies get the RSV infection again?Yes. However, as we get older, the infection generally causes less severe symptoms. Older children who get RSV often get symptoms of the common cold. Back to listDoes Bronchiolitis cause any long-term effects?Yes. It can cause wheezing (asthma). If there is not a history of asthma in the family, most children will 'grow out' of their wheezing tendency by the age of 13 years. If there is a family history of asthma, the asthma symptoms are likely to continue longer.What can I do help my baby after an episode of Bronchiolitis?Make sure your baby avoids passive smoking. Exposure to tobacco smoke really exacerbates respiratory symptoms in babies. Back to list
References
To go to the top of the Bronchiolitis page, click here To go to the Breathing problem page, click here To go to the Newborn Baby page, click here To return to the Home page, click here Last reviewed 5 June 2011
|
| We comply with the information: verify here. |
Visitors Say
Thanks for your "straight to the point" advice! I am very happy that you decided to add your wisdom to the internet for all to read. You made a very worrisome toddler's fever day into something a lot calmer. Fred, Sweden
Excellent website. Plain english - reassuring and direct. Great resource - thank you. David, Australia
Dear Dr.Maud, I had to write a thank you note for all the work you put into this site to make our life easier! We had many questions and worries but we found all the answers here very easily. You helped us to find a way to make our little boy eat again and calmed our worried minds when he was sick.. So much useful information, I recommend your website to all moms and dads I know. Thank you so much, you are fantastic! Have a wonderful day! :) Sophie, Singapore
Thank you so much. I have taken ... to three different Dr.'s and you are the first to answer my questions in a manner that I can understand. You explained everything in English for once, and told me things that none of the other Dr.'s did. Thank you again. I really appreciate your help. Machelle, United States