Bronchiolitis is an infection of the small airways of the lungs, commonly affecting infants and young children under 2 years old, which can cause breathing difficulties and a prolonged cough lasting 2 to 3 weeks.
What Causes Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a condition characterised by narrowing of the small airways of the lungs during a viral infection. The narrowing happens because the small airway swell and mucus is produced during infection. Many different types of viruses can cause this condition, such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RVS), rhinovirus and influenza. As such, a child may experience more than 1 episode of bronchiolitis in their early childhood. These viruses can spread via droplets secreted from an infected person through sneezing, coughing, hand-to-nose or hand-to-eye contact.
Signs And Symptoms Of Bronchiolitis
Your child may be breathing harder with recessions. This means part of the neck, chest or tummy may be sinking in and out with each breath.
Your child may be breathing faster than usual. Please take note that normal breathing rates are different for children of various ages, but generally, for children under the age of 2, a breathing rate of 40-50 breaths per minute is considered fast.
Occasionally, a higher-pitched sound may be heard when the child breaths.
If any of the above are noted, your child is displaying signs of breathing difficulties and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
In addition, if your child has a phlegmy cough for more than a week without improvement, this may sometimes suggest that the infection is in the smaller airways of the lungs and it is advisable for the child to have a review at the clinic.
Diagnosis And Treatment Options For Bronchiolitis
At the clinic or Children’s Emergency, the doctor will check your child’s breathing rate and oxygen levels. In addition, the doctor will listen to your child’s chest with a stethoscope for any sounds that suggest that there is phlegm in the lungs.
A child with bronchiolitis may require oxygen support; nebulisers or inhaler treatment may be given at the doctor’s discretion.
However, as this is an infection caused by viruses, antibiotics are generally not helpful.
Depending on the degree of breathlessness diagnosed by the doctor, some children may require hospitalisation.
If your child is also not eating and drinking well due to this condition, your child may also need hospitalisation for hydration.
Tips For Taking Care Of Children With Bronchiolitis
What can I do for my child at home?
Nasal washes for a blocked nose
This may be helpful for young infants, as this will clear the nasal passages, which can be blocked with mucus. Place three drops of saline in each nostril. After about one minute, use a small manual suction device to suck out the mucus. This can be done up to 3 to 4 times a day, before feeding and sleep. However, please take note that this will not remove all the phlegm from the child’s small airways.
Feeding
As your child might vomit due to frequent coughing with bronchiolitis, it is helpful to give your child smaller volumes of feeding each time and more frequently. If your child is taking fewer solid foods, you may consider giving more fluids such as milk to ensure sufficient nutrition.
The doctor may prescribe other medications after consultation. Please follow your doctor’s directions when administering these medications.
Summary
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection and will take time for improvement. The doctor's treatment is only supportive, so adequate rest and sufficient nutrition for your child are key during the illness to ensure recovery.
Eventually, the child recovers because the body’s immune system clears the virus and the phlegm over time.
