Bronchiolitis
What is Bronchiolitis?Bronchiolitis is an illness which commonly occurs in the spring. Young children are most susceptible to it. Bronchiolitis refers to an infection located within the bronchioles, the small air passages located within the lungs. Bronchiolitis most commonly occurs is the number one cause of serious lower respiratory illness in babies.
What Causes Bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is mostly caused by a virus known as respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV. This virus mainly becomes prevalent in late Winter to early Spring.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of Bronchiolitis include:
Typically, the symptoms of Bronchiolitis last up to four days, with many children fully recovered within one week. How is It Treated? For most children with no other health issues, a full recovery can be made at home. It is recommended that children be offered more fluids to avoid dehydration. Paracetamol is also required to help alleviate any associated fevers. It is important that aspirin is NOT given to children due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome.
Medical intervention may be required if the child has uncontrollable vomiting, rapid breathing or appears to have breathing difficulties.
In severe cases of Bronchiolitis, hospitalization and oxygen therapy may be required. How Can It be Prevented? It is very common for children to get respiratory infections, especially during the colder months. This is because they are often exposed to other people carrying the infection and they have yet to build up an immunity as adults have.
Bronchiolitis is spread much in the same way as the common cold, making it highly contagious. The best way to protect your child from Bronchiolitis is to keep them away from other children who have upper respiratory infections.
If you child has Bronchiolitis, keep her home from school to help prevent the spread. Good hygiene practices are recommended such as hand washing to stop spreading germs. Also, avoid smoking around children; second hand smoke can irritate their lungs and sinuses.
Wanna read more? Check out our child health page!
report abuse- Runny Nose
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of Breath
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
Typically, the symptoms of Bronchiolitis last up to four days, with many children fully recovered within one week. How is It Treated? For most children with no other health issues, a full recovery can be made at home. It is recommended that children be offered more fluids to avoid dehydration. Paracetamol is also required to help alleviate any associated fevers. It is important that aspirin is NOT given to children due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome.
Medical intervention may be required if the child has uncontrollable vomiting, rapid breathing or appears to have breathing difficulties.
In severe cases of Bronchiolitis, hospitalization and oxygen therapy may be required. How Can It be Prevented? It is very common for children to get respiratory infections, especially during the colder months. This is because they are often exposed to other people carrying the infection and they have yet to build up an immunity as adults have.
Bronchiolitis is spread much in the same way as the common cold, making it highly contagious. The best way to protect your child from Bronchiolitis is to keep them away from other children who have upper respiratory infections.
If you child has Bronchiolitis, keep her home from school to help prevent the spread. Good hygiene practices are recommended such as hand washing to stop spreading germs. Also, avoid smoking around children; second hand smoke can irritate their lungs and sinuses.
Wanna read more? Check out our child health page!
Submit!
