bronchiolitis
by william samuels·
bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory infection in babies and children under 2, usually caused by RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). it causes swelling and mucus build-up in the smallest airways (bronchioles). most cases are mild, but it can be serious in very young babies.
contagious
yes
incubation
2–8 days
contagious for
usually contagious for 3–8 days; can shed virus for up to 3 weeks
exclusion
exclude while symptoms of acute illness are present
symptoms
- •starts like a cold — runny nose, mild cough, low fever
- •wheezing or whistling sound when breathing out
- •rapid or laboured breathing
- •difficulty feeding — may take less milk than usual
- •irritability
- •symptoms usually peak around day 2–3 and improve by day 7–10
when to see a doctor
see your GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if:
- •your child is under 3 months old
- •difficulty breathing — ribs pulling in, nostrils flaring
- •breathing very fast
- •taking less than half their usual feeds
- •no wet nappy for 6+ hours
- •skin looks blue or very pale
- •your child is very drowsy or hard to wake
- •pauses in breathing (apnoea)
in an emergency, call 000.
home treatment
- •keep your child hydrated — offer smaller, more frequent feeds
- •use saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe to clear a blocked nose before feeds
- •keep your child slightly upright (elevate head of cot slightly)
- •give paracetamol for fever
- •do not give cough medicines — they don't work for bronchiolitis
- •avoid smoke exposure
- •wash hands frequently to prevent spread
this guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. if you are concerned about your child, see your GP, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or in an emergency call 000.