Bronchiolitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Bronchiolitis (BRON-kee-oh-lie-tis) is a lung infection of the bronchioles. The bronchioles are tiny tubes (airways) inside your child’s lungs. These small airways become inflamed and swell, making it hard for your child to breathe. The airways become filled with fluid, mucus, and dead tissue, and muscles around them tighten, making them smaller. Bronchiolitis is usually caused by viruses and most commonly by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). At first the infection has cold-like signs and symptoms of a runny or stuffy nose, fever, and cough. Bronchiolitis most often happens to children younger than 2 years old, usually in the fall, winter, or early spring. In healthy children, acute bronchiolitis usually goes away on its own.
  
  
• Bronchiolitis is diagnosed by your child's caregiver reviewing his medical history and examining him. Your child may be given medicines to help him breathe, and to ease other signs and symptoms. Some children get a more severe (very bad) form of the disease and may become very sick. Having a weak immune (body defense) system, or heart or lung problems increases the risk for severe bronchiolitis. Children with more severe disease may need to be treated in the hospital. Your child may need extra oxygen or a machine to help him breathe. The disease usually lasts 5 to 7 days, although the coughing may continue for many weeks afterwards.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Prevention:

• Ask if your child should receive medicine to protect against getting RSV. Your child may need to receive RSV immunoglobulin (Ig) medicine to help protect him from getting RSV. This may be needed if your child is at risk of having severe disease with RSV infection. When needed, your child will receive one dose every month for five months. The first dose is usually given in November or December. Ask your child's caregiver if your child should receive this RSV medicine.
  
  
• Avoid other people who are ill. Keep your child away from crowds or people with colds or other respiratory infections. Avoid having your child be in daycare during RSV season.
  
  
• Breastfeed your baby. Breast milk helps your baby's body fight infections, and may help prevent bronchiolitis.
  
  
• Clean toys and other objects. These include toys that are shared with other children and items touched by sick children or adults.
  
  
• Do not expose your child to smoke. This includes cigarette and other tobacco smoke. Never smoke around or allow others to smoke around your child. Do not put your child in places where a wood stove is burning. Keep your child away from chemical fumes (gas vapors) or dust.
  
  
• Wash your hands frequently. Keep your and your child's hands clean. This is the most important thing you can do to prevent spreading germs, including those that cause bronchiolitis. Wash often with soap and water to remove germs from your hands. A germ-killing hand lotion or gel may be used when no water available.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child is not eating, or has nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Your child is acting very tired or weak, or is sleeping more than usual.
  
  
• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child is breathing fast.
  
  
  • More than 50 breaths in one minute for newborn babies up to six months of age.
    
    
  • More than 40 breaths in one minute for six months.
    
    
  • More than 30 breaths in one minute for a child at one year of age.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has a hard time breathing, or has pauses in breathing.
  
  
• Your child's lips or nails are bluish in color.
  
  
• Your child's symptoms do not get better, or get worse.
  
  
• Your child has signs of dehydration:
  
  
  • Crying without tears.
    
    
  • Dry mouth or cracked lips.
    
    
  • More irritable or fussy than normal.
    
    
  • More sleepy than usual.
    
    
  • Sunken soft spot on the top of the head if your child is less than one year old.
    
    
  • Urinating less than usual or not at all.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Bronchiolitis (Aftercare Instructions)