What can you do for a baby with bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection among infants. One of its symptoms is trouble breathing, which can be scary. Read on for more information about bronchiolitis, its causes, signs and symptoms, how to treat it and how to prevent it. Show
What happens if a baby has bronchiolitis?Bronchiolitis causes the small breathing tubes of the lungs (bronchioles) to swell. This blocks airflow through the lungs, making it hard to breathe. It occurs most often in infants because their airways are smaller and more easily blocked than in older children. What is the difference between bronchiolitis and bronchitis?Bronchiolitis is not the same as bronchitis, which is an infection of the larger, more central airways that typically causes problems in adults. What causes bronchiolitis?Bronchiolitis is caused by one of several respiratory viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, and human metapneumovirus. Other viruses can also cause bronchiolitis. Infants with RSV infection are more likely to get bronchiolitis with wheezing and difficulty breathing. Most adults and many older children with RSV infection only get a cold. RSV is spread by contact with an infected person's mucus or saliva (respiratory droplets produced during coughing or wheezing). It often spreads through families and child care centers. What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis?Bronchiolitis often starts with signs of a cold, such as a runny nose, mild cough, and fever. After 1 or 2 days, the cough may get worse and an infant will begin to breathe faster. Your child may become dehydrated if he cannot comfortably drink fluids. If your child shows any signs of troubled breathing or dehydration, call your child's doctor. The following signs may mean that your baby is having trouble breathing:
Your child may become dehydrated if he cannot comfortably drink fluids. Call your child's doctor if your baby develops any of the following signs of dehydration:
Can bronchiolitis be treated at home?There is no specific treatment for RSV or other viruses that cause bronchiolitis. Antibiotics are not helpful because they treat illnesses caused by bacteria, not viruses. However, you can try to ease your child's symptoms. To relieve a stuffy nose
To relieve fever
To prevent dehydration
Bronchiolitis and severe chronic illnessBronchiolitis may cause more severe illness in children who have a chronic illness. If you think your child has bronchiolitis and they have any of the following conditions, be sure to call their doctor:
How will your child's doctor treat bronchiolitis?Your child's doctor will evaluate your child and advise you on nasal suctioning, fever control, and observation, as well as when to call back. Some children with bronchiolitis need to be treated in a hospital for breathing problems or dehydration. Breathing problems may need to be treated with oxygen and medicine. Dehydration is treated with a special liquid diet or intravenous (IV) fluids. In very rare cases when these treatments aren't working, an infant might have to be put on a respirator. This is usually only temporary until the infection is gone. How can you prevent your baby from getting bronchiolitis?The best steps you can follow to reduce the risk that your baby becomes infected with RSV or other viruses that cause bronchiolitis include
RememberIf you have questions about treating bronchiolitis, call your child's doctor. More information
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. How can I treat my baby's bronchitis at home?Effective home remedies for bronchitis in children.. Increase fluids. ... . Rest in an upright position. ... . Warm compresses for the chest. ... . Add some humidity. ... . Eliminate irritants. ... . Give over-the-counter medications with care.. What happens if a baby has bronchiolitis?Bronchiolitis starts out with symptoms similar to those of a common cold, but then progresses to coughing, wheezing and sometimes difficulty breathing. Symptoms of bronchiolitis can last for several days to weeks. Most children get better with care at home. A small percentage of children require hospitalization.
What should you not do with bronchiolitis?If your baby has bronchiolitis, you should avoid contact with other people in the first few days, as the virus that causes bronchiolitis is contagious.
How long do babies have bronchiolitis for?How long does bronchiolitis last? Most babies/children with bronchiolitis get better within about two weeks. Your baby/child can go back to nursery or day care as soon as he or she is well enough (that is feeding normally and with no difficulty in breathing).
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