Breastfeeding and a smoke-free environment give the best protection against bronchiolitis.
Bronchiolitis is a common illness usually caused by a virus. The most common are RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and rhinovirus but there are many viruses that can cause bronchiolitis.
See the KidsHealth page on RSV [1].
Bronchiolitis affects the smallest airways (called bronchioles) throughout the lungs.
Yes, bronchiolitis is very easy to catch - it can spread easily.
It is most common in winter and spring.
A paediatrician may recommend a medicine to prevent serious illness caused by RSV in high-risk babies. (RSV is a common casue of bronchiolitis).
Read about RSV passive immunisation for high risk babies [2].
Bronchiolitis often starts as a cold, with a runny nose.
Pēpi with bronchiolitis:
The second or third day of the chesty part of the illness is usually the worst.
Bronchiolitis can last for several days. The cough often lasts for 10 to 14 days but it may last as long as a month.
Watch this video of a baby with noisy breathing (wheezing) (Damian Roland's YouTube channel)
Check the signs that show your child is struggling to breathe [3]
Even if you've already seen a health professional, if your baby's breathing gets worse or you are worried, take your baby back to a health professional.
You should see a health professional urgently if your baby:
See a health professional or call Healthline (0800 611 116) if you are worried about your baby.
Even if you've already seen a health professional, if your baby's breathing difficulties get worse or you are worried, take your baby back to a health professional.
Dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help if your baby:
Most pēpi with bronchiolitis get better by themselves without any special medical treatment.
Pēpi with more serious bronchiolitis may need to go to hospital. Sometimes pēpi need help with their breathing. This might include extra oxygen through small soft plastic tubes that fit into your baby's nose.
If your baby is not drinking enough, they may need feeding through a nasogastric tube (a tube through the nose into the stomach) or fluid through an intravenous drip (into a vein).
If your baby has bronchiolitis, keep them at home, away from other pēpi and tamariki (children), to stop bronchiolitis spreading.
Pēpi with bronchiolitis may not be able to feed for as long as usual. Offer smaller feeds more often.
Give pēpi as much rest as possible.
Don't smoke in the house or around pēpi.
Keep your baby's nose clear. If it is blocked or crusty you can use saline nose drops (from a pharmacy).
Keep pēpi away from other pēpi and tamariki, and from childcare centres, to stop bronchiolitis spreading.
If your baby is miserable and upset, you can give paracetamol. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.
Remember to sleep baby on their back in their own bed and don't prop them up with pillows or blankets.
Breastfeeding pēpi protects them from getting bronchiolitis by boosting their infection-fighting (immune) system. Breastfeeding beyond 4 months of age offers the best protection.
Make sure your baby's environment is smoke-free. If you want to give up smoking:
Keeping the house warm and well-insulated will also decrease your baby's risk of developing bronchiolitis.
Read about keeping your home warm and dry [5]
It is sensible to keep young pēpi away from people who have colds and coughs.
Make sure everyone in your family washes their hands regularly and thoroughly and dries them well, including (but not only) before preparing food and eating. This can reduce the spread of infection.
Bronchiolitis is not the same as asthma. Most pēpi with bronchiolitis do not go on to have asthma. Asthma is more likely in tamariki if there are other family members with asthma.
Illustration of baby with bronchiolitis by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
This page last reviewed 29 May 2023.
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Links
[1] https://kidshealth.org.nz/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection
[2] https://kidshealth.org.nz/rsv-passive-immunisation-high-risk-babies
[3] https://kidshealth.org.nz/signs-children-are-struggling-breathe
[4] http://quit.org.nz/
[5] https://kidshealth.org.nz/keeping-your-home-warm-dry
[6] https://starship.org.nz/guidelines/bronchiolitis/
[7] https://www.paediatrics.org.nz/resources/child-health-guidelines/show/113
[8] https://www.predict.org.au/bronchiolitis-guideline/
[9] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F40%3Flanguage%3Den