Newborns and infants

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a common lung disease that usually affects children age two and younger, often in the winter months. Though the disease starts out like a common cold, it can be life threatening as the small airways of the lungs become inflamed, making breathing difficult.

• YNHH Health Library: Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which also causes pneumonia in small children. Symptoms of RSV include runny nose, sneezing and coughing, with or without a fever. Other symptoms include a sore throat, rash and red eyes. Wheezing and fast breathing are classic symptoms and your doctor should be called. Mild cases may be treated at home under a doctor's care, but more serious cases require hospitalization, where the child can receive oxygen and fluids. If your child has heart disease or was born prematurely, call your doctor at the first sign of infection. In older children, RSV may appear just as a cold and usually passes without incident.

Parents should be especially watchful for breathing problems, which include:

• Fast breathing (more than 50 times per minute)
• Chest pulls in as the baby struggles for air
• Poor feeding
• A wheezing or whistling sound when he or she breathes
• Rib muscles or the skin where the neck meets the chest pull in when breathing
• Baby appears listless, turns blue or stops breathing. This is a medical emergency, call 911.

Home care
If your child has been diagnosed with mild bronchiolitis, here are steps to take to make him or her more comfortable.

• Make sure the child drinks plenty of fluids, especially if he or she has a fever. This compensates for increased fluids lost by breathing so fast. Most babies take smaller amounts more frequently.
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer to increase humidity, easing breathing. (Steam vaporizers may cause burns if knocked over).
• Give nonaspirin fever medication and other medications your doctor may have prescribed.
• Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, including RSV.

Prevention

• Make sure all family members and visitors wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of RSV and other viruses. People may be contagious up to 48 hours before cold symptoms appear.
• Try not to let people with colds handle your baby.
• Exposure to cigarette smoke increases the chance that RSV could be more serious.
• Breastfeeding may offer some protection against RSV and other viruses.

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Reviewed: Greg Germain, MD, December 1999
Last revised: May 30, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.