Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

Is bronchiolitis serious?

Bronchiolitis can be very serious, especially for very young babies, or babies that have other medical conditions. Many cases of bronchiolitis start to get better within a few days, though a cough may last a couple of weeks. Babies with bronchiolitis need to be monitored very closely to make sure that they can get enough oxygen. Some severe cases may need to be treated in hospital.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a type of chest infection that commonly affects children under 12 months of age. It occurs when the very small airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles, become inflamed and swell up.

What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?

At first, the symptoms of bronchiolitis may appear similar to those of a common cold. These may include a runny nose, a fever and coughing. As the condition progresses, the symptoms can also include fast breathing, wheezing, coughing and trouble …

What causes bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that affects the small airways in the lungs, called bronchioles. It is commonly caused by viruses, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, and the influenza virus, …

Who gets bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is most common in babies under 12 months of age. Adults and children over 12 months of age can also get bronchiolitis, but this is not as common. Babies may develop severe bronchiolitis if they were born prematurely, are less than six weeks old, have a …

How is bronchiolitis diagnosed?

To diagnose bronchiolitis, a doctor may ask you questions about your baby's symptoms and if they have any other medical conditions. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your baby's breathing and heartbeat. In particular, they will listen for …

How is bronchiolitis treated?

As bronchiolitis is usually caused by viruses, antibiotics will not help to clear the infection. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen, may help to relieve some of the symptoms such as fever. Allowing your baby to get plenty of rest, keeping them …

Is bronchiolitis contagious?

Yes, the viruses and bacteria that cause bronchiolitis are infectious and can be easily passed on to another person. Bronchiolitis can be spread by breathing in the droplets from a sneeze or a cough of an infected person.

Can bronchiolitis be prevented?

There is no way to prevent bronchiolitis. As the condition can be contagious, keeping your baby home from childcare if they have it may help prevent it spreading to other children.

If my baby has bronchiolitis, will he develop asthma later in life?

Many children who develop bronchiolitis as a baby go on to develop asthma later in life. The link between the two conditions is not clear. It is not known whether bronchiolitis increases the risk of asthma, or whether …

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease in which the airways (bronchi) become damaged and scarred by repeated lung infections. It can cause a build-up of mucus in the airways, leading to persistent coughing and difficulty breathing.…
Diseases & conditions

Asthma

Asthma is a common respiratory condition where irritants trigger the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, which makes breathing difficult. During attacks, individuals may notice wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and/or shortness of breath. It is important to know how to correctly manage and prevent asthma attacks.…
Diseases & conditions

Cough

Coughing is your body's way of getting rid of any foreign material or mucus in your lungs. Coughing can be a response to breathing in dust or fumes that irritate the nerve endings in the airways, or can be a symptom of a medical problem, such as a lung infection caused by bacteria or a virus, or a long-term lung disease such as asthma.…
Diseases & conditions

Occupational lung disease

Occupational lung disease is a term that covers a range of lung diseases that can develop from workplace (occupational) exposure to substances that damage the lungs. Some substances can result in immediate changes, whereas others can take years for disease to appear or develop.…
Diseases & conditions

How to use an asthma spacer

A step-by-step guide to using an asthma inhaler: 1. Put the spacer together as directed by the instructions; 2. Remove the cap on the puffer; 3. After shaking the puffer, insert it into the end of the spacer; 4. Place the mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips around it. Ensure there are no gaps around the mouthpiece. For young children, place the mask to cover your child's nose and mou…
Diseases & conditions

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a common condition that occurs when the lungs become inflamed. It causes coughing and difficult breathing. Acute bronchitis refers to the short-term type, and may occur in the aftermath of cold or flu. While the cough may be severe, it typically lasts for only a few weeks.…

About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 11 Jul 2015
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Votes: 776 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Bronchiectasis

×

Content goes in here.