Your child has breathing problems caused by Bronchiolitis. They have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following information may help you look after your child at home.
What is bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is when the tiniest air passages in your child’s lungs become swollen. This can make it more difficult for your child to breathe. Usually bronchiolitis is caused by a virus called respiratory syncytial virus (known as RSV).
Bronchiolitis is a very common in children and is mostly seen over the winter months. In most children it only causes minor ‘cold-like’ symptoms and they get better on their own. Some babies, especially very young ones, can have difficulty with breathing or feeding and need to go to hospital.
What are the symptoms?
Bronchiolitis starts like a simple cold. Your baby may have a runny nose and sometimes a cough and a temperature. Their breathing might later become faster than normal and noisier.
Sometimes the skin between the ribs can look like it is being sucked inwards and this is a sign of difficulty breathing. As breathing becomes more difficult your baby may not be able to take the usual amount of feeds and can become irritable and sleepy.
How is bronchiolitis treated?
Like most viral infections there is no specific treatment and antibiotics do not help. It is important you let you baby rest as much as possible. If oxygen levels in the blood fall to below 92%, additional oxygen can be given through a mask or fine tubes into the nose.
Some children have trouble feeding, so smaller bottle feeds are offered more frequently or breastfeeding is offered more often.
If feeding becomes too difficult, in hospital, a small tube (a naso-gastric tube) can be passed through the nose and into the stomach, through which milk is given. It is kept in place by taping the tube to your child’s cheek.
If they are less well it may be necessary to stop all feeds and be given intra-venous fluids. Occasionally some babies become so ill that they require special care in a Children’s Intensive Care Unit. If this is necessary your Doctor will discuss this with you at the time.
How long does it take to get better?
Most children with bronchiolitis get better within about two weeks. They may still have a cough and wheeze for some time after this.
Your child can go back to nursery/day care as soon as he or she is well enough (that is feeding normally and with no difficulty breathing).
Bronchiolitis does not usually cause long-term breathing problems. There is a 50% chance your baby may become wheezy the next time they have a cold. A small number of children may continue wheezing, although most will grow out of it by the time they start school.
Make sure your child is not exposed to tobacco smoke. Passive smoking can seriously damage your child’s health. It makes breathing problems including bronchiolitis worse.
When should I get advice?
If your child’s health gets worse or you are worried, you will need to seek further medical help. You will also need to seek medical help if your child has any of the following:
- struggling to breath or breathing faster than usual
- long pauses in your babies breathing
- pale, mottled or blue colour. Sweaty
- taking less than half of their usual feeds for the last two feeds
- has not had a wet nappy for 12 hours
- has a fever
- unable to wake up, is very tired or irritable
What to do if you are worried
If you think your child is very unwell call 999 for an ambulance.
You can return to your nearest Emergency Department at any time without an appointment.
You can also see your own GP or an ‘out of hours‘ doctor.
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