Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Bronchiolitis

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: October 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

• What is bronchiolitis?
• Who can get bronchiolitis?
• What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?
• Is bronchiolitis contagious?
• How is bronchiolitis treated?
• How long does bronchiolitis last?
• How can bronchiolitis be prevented?
• What is an emergency?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is bronchiolitis?

• Bronchiolitis is a lung infection caused by a virus.
• In infants it is often caused by respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
• Troubled breathing is caused by mucus that collects in the tiny airways of the lungs (the bronchioles).

Who can get bronchiolitis?

• Children under 2 years old can get bronchiolitis. It is most common in 6-month-old infants.
• It is more common in males.
• Infants who are around cigarette smoke or who attend daycare are more likely to get it.
• Infections are most common in the winter and early spring.
• Children who have bronchiolitis 2 or 3 times are more likely to have asthma.

What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?

• The first symptoms are usually like a cold: stuffy nose, runny nose, and mild cough. These last 1-2 days.
• A cough, fast breathing, and wheezing usually follow.
• Your child's neck and chest may suck in with each breath.
• Your child may have a fever.
• Children who have trouble breathing may get very tired or dehydrated (not enough fluid in body).

Is bronchiolitis contagious?

• Yes. Bronchiolitis is contagious.
• It can be spread by sneezing and coughing.
• It can also be spread when the hands touch the mouth or nose after coming into contact with germs.

How is bronchiolitis treated?

• Children with bronchiolitis do not need to see the doctor unless symptoms are severe (see "What is an emergency?" below).
• Give your child plenty of clear fluids (such as water, juice, and gelatin-water), at least 2-3 ounces every 1-2 hours while she is awake.
• Run a cool mist vaporizer in the child's room while she sleeps. Change bedding if it gets damp. Clean the vaporizer daily with bleach and water (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
• If your infant has a stuffy nose, saline (salt-water) nose drops might help. Drops can be found at the store. Ask the pharmacist for help.
• Use a suction bulb to clear the nose. Put 1-2 drops of saline in each nostril.
• Cleaning out the nose might help your child eat, drink, and sleep.
• Tilt your infant's mattress so her head is higher than her body.
• Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol, Tempra, or Panadol) can be used to bring down fever. Give the right amount based on your child's weight.
• Watch your child's breathing. Call the doctor if breathing is troubled.
• Do not smoke around a child with bronchiolitis.

How long does bronchiolitis last?

• Symptoms usually last for about 7 days.
• A cough can last longer.

How can bronchiolitis be prevented?

• Wash your hands often after being around an infected person.

What is an emergency?

• Breathing is very difficult or very fast.
• Your child is wheezing or very drowsy.
• Your child's stomach or between her ribs sucks in with each breath and her nostrils flare.
• Her skin is pale or gray or her lips are blue.
• Your child complains of a tight chest.

When should I call the doctor?

• Anytime your child has breathing problems.
• Your child is short of breath after coughing.
• Your child will not drink or nurse.
• Your child sleeps more than usual or sleeps through feedings.
• Your child is fussy, can't sleep, or is hard to calm.
• Your child has a fever of 102 degrees F (or 38.9 degrees C) or higher.
• Your child has not urinated in 6-8 hours or if her mouth and lips are dry.
• The soft spot on your infant's head is sunk in.

Quick Answers

• Bronchiolitis is a lung infection caused by a virus.
• It is most common in children under 2 years old, especially 6-month-old infants.
• The first symptoms are usually like a cold. A cough, fast breathing, and wheezing often follow.
• Bronchiolitis can be spread by sneezing and coughing.
• Children do not need to see the doctor unless symptoms are severe. Give plenty of fluids.
• Symptoms usually last for about 7 days. A cough can last longer.
• Wash your hands often after being around an infected person.
• If your child has very troubled breathing, call the emergency room.
• If your child's symptoms do not get better in 7 days, call the doctor.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (Bronchiolitis). In: Pickering LK, ed. 2000 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 25th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2000.
• The Children's Hospital, Boston. Bronchiolitis. Pediatrics. 1993 January (cited 2001 October 2). URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Infectious/bronchiolitis1.html
• Dowshen, S M.D. Bronchiolitis. KidsHealth. 2001 March (cited 2001 October 2). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=22950

See related Patient Topics Breathing Problems, Lungs and Breathing, Respiratory Diseases--General or Symptoms and Manifestations.

See related Provider Topics Breathing Problems, Lungs and Breathing, Respiratory Diseases--General or Symptoms and Manifestations.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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