Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a common viral infection affecting the small airways, or bronchioles, in your child’s lungs. It’s often caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which leads to swelling and increased mucus production in the airways.

This makes it hard for your child to breathe and can cause rapid breathing, coughing, and wheezing - that high-pitched whistling sound when your child breathes out. The wheezing happens because the muscles around the bronchioles become tight and narrow the airways.

In adults, bronchiolitis typically looks like a mild cold. However, in children under 1 to 2 years old, it can range from a mild illness with a runny nose and cough to a more severe condition like pneumonia.

Fortunately, most kids suffering from bronchiolitis can be treated at home. If your child is alert, playful, and has a breathing rate of 40 to 50 breaths per minute when calm, with only slight pulling in of the skin between the ribs while breathing, they likely have a mild case.

However, if your child's breathing rate exceeds 60 breaths per minute when quiet, or if you notice significant pulling in of the skin between the ribs, severe wheezing, persistent vomiting, or trouble breathing, please contact us immediately.

Treatment varies based on severity. For mild cases, keeping your child hydrated and patient care can be effective, although the cough may linger for up to 6 weeks due to mucus buildup.

If wheezing is present and your child responds to medications like albuterol (Ventolin/Proventil) or Xopenex, bronchodilators can help. These are a group of medicines that can relax the airway muscles and reduce wheezing and coughing. These medications might make your child more active or affect their sleep, but are usually given for a week, 3 to 4 times a day.