Bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection of viral origin in which the bronchioles, the smallest airways, are obstructed, preventing the entry of air into the lungs. It is more common in younger children, under 2 years of age, especially those under 6 months.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main responsible for this infection, which in our country is typical of the cold months, between November and March. Unlike bronchitis, which affects different causes -infectious, allergic- affects the “largest” part of the bronchi, bronchiolitis affects the most distal and smallest part of the bronchial tree.
What are the symptoms?
Most bronchiolitis are mild and present as a cold or cold that resolves in a few days, as indicated by the AEPED. Other times, when the child has snot and cough for 3-4 days, he begins with difficulty breathing and “wheezing” in the chest. You may also have a low-grade fever or fever, less appetite, vomiting mucus, or trouble eating.
Bronchiolitis can be a serious disease in premature babies, in infants under 3 months of age, and in children with heart, respiratory, muscular, or immune system problems (impaired defenses).
For its diagnosis, however, no type of analysis is necessary since it is diagnosed by the symptoms.
Treatment
In most cases, bronchiolitis passes at home in about 7-10 days, although the cough can last a little longer, and the treatment, as in almost all viral infections, is symptomatic, since there is no medication that cure it as such.
In this sense, it helps to relieve symptoms by washing the nose; place the baby in a semi-reclined position, raising the headboard to help him breathe better; offer less food and more frequently in the event that his appetite decreases, since the difficulty in breathing can make him tired with feedings and, in the case of fever, avoid overcoating the child and administer paracetamol or ibuprofen (the latter only if the child is older than 3 months).
The AEPED warns that antibiotics must not be supplied in any case, since they are useless against viruses, nor are cough syrups, mucolytics or corticosteroids effective. In summary: you should not use drugs that have not been prescribed by your pediatrician.
When do you have to go to the hospital?
You should go to the hospital when the symptoms worsen. That is: if he has difficulty breathing properly, which can be determined by observing the child and checking if his ribs show when he breathes, his abdomen swells, his chest sounds a lot (he has “whistles”) and/or he breathes very fast.
You should also go to the doctor if you are pale and/or your lips and nails are bluish, if you have apnea pauses (stop breathing for a few seconds), have a “moan” or are very agitated; is low and does not want to eat or vomits frequently or has a high fever that is difficult to control.