What is Bronchiolitis in Babies?

What is Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection where the bronchioles (airways) in the baby's lungs get inflamed and filled with mucus making it difficult for the baby to breathe. The child usually has symptoms similar to common cold - cough, runny nose along with heavy breathing. Normally bronchiolitis is not serious but if your child is showing signs of laboured breathing do contact your doctor immediately.

Bronchiolitis Causes:

Respiratory viruses like human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and others could cause bronchiolitis in babies below 2 years of age as their airways are small and easily get blocked, in very rare cases adults could also get it. Babies with weak immune system, exposed to second-hand smoke, are prematurely born or have heart lung issues are more likely to get this infection.

Bronchiolitis Vs Bronchitis

Even though both Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis sound similar and are caused by viruses they affect different parts of the lungs. Bronchitis affects the larger airways or Bronchi in the lungs and is more common in older children and adults while Bronchiolitis affects the smaller airways or Bronchioles making then narrow and difficult to breathe in infants below 2 years of age.

Bronchiolitis Symptoms

Symptoms of Bronchiolitis is very close to common cold initially but may develop other symptoms after 1 -2 days time .

• Cold with runny nose

• Cough that may get worse

• Slight fever usually below 101 Degree Fahrenheit

• Wheezing or troubled breathing

• Flared nostrils with grunting noise while breathing

• Restlessness, Irritability, Crying and Fatigue

• Laboured breathing with muscles tightening under rib cage and stomach

• Call your doctor immediately if any of the below severe symptoms set in:

  • Cyanosis: Blue grey skin on lips, fingers, toes, etc.

  • Unable to feed as finding it difficult to suck and swallow

  • Dehydration as refusing to feed, dry mouth, reduced number of pees and crying without tears.

  • Respiratory failure

Bronchiolitis Diagnosis

Doctor will perform a thorough physical exam, take temperature, check for symptoms like laboured breathing, grunting noise and listen to breathing using a stethoscope. Sometimes the doctor will take a nasal swab to send for testing to confirm the viral infection. In extreme cases and based on severity of the symptoms and laboured breathing, the doctor may ask for a chest x-ray and to be admitted.

Bronchiolitis Treatment:

In most cases of Bronchiolitis no treatment is necessary, the baby will recover over time with home remedies like saline nasal drops, humidifier, sitting in steam during baths, in children over 1 year honey can help break the mucus and reduce cough, feeding small meals over regular intervals and giving plenty of fluids (formula or breastmilk in smaller babies). Fever medication as prescribed by your doctor if the temperature runs high.

In severe cases the baby may need to be admitted to hospital to monitor breathing, give IV fluid to prevent dehydration and in rare cases antivirals to cope with symptoms may be given by the health care professional.

Bronchiolitis Outlook

Most infants with Bronchiolitis feel better in a week or so with few symptoms like cough taking longer up to even 3 weeks, but even cough gets better over time. Your child might refuse to eat or drink as it is difficult to swallow but keep pushing them to eat smaller meals (small doses of formula or breastmilk at regular intervals in case of babies) to ensure they are hydrated and have energy to recoup.

Talk to your doctor for any OTC drugs to help your child with cough, fever and cold symptoms. See your doctor immediately if symptoms don't improve after a week, get worse or child is having laboured breathing.