Information about Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is an infection of the lungs caused by a virus that most people will get by the time they are two. Learn more about bronchiolitis and how to prevent it with information from AboutKidsHealth.
The bronchiolitis infection makes the tiny airways (bronchioles) of the lungs swell, making them narrower and making it harder for the child to breathe. Most cases of bronchiolitis are caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), so bronchiolitis is most common from November to April, during the RSV season.
At first, a child with bronchiolitis may have a fever, runny nose or cough. Other signs of bronchiolitis can include:
- fast, shallow breathing
- high-pitched breathing sounds (wheezing)
- the skin sucking in (indrawing) in the chest below the rib cage, above the collarbone, between the ribs or in the neck (these are called retractions)
- flaring of the nostrils
- increased irritability, crankiness or tiredness
- eating or drinking less
- trouble sleeping
Prevent the spread of bronchiolitis by practising good hand hygiene...
Most children with bronchiolitis are only mildly ill with coughing or wheezing and do not need any special medical treatment.
Bronchiolitis usually lasts about seven to 10 days. However, in some cases, children can have a cough or mild wheeze that lasts for weeks, even after the virus is gone.
How to prevent bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis can spread easily. Everyone can help prevent the spread of bronchiolitis by practising good hand hygiene and learning to sneeze or cough into their sleeve or elbow. Children should also stay away from infected people and large crowds when possible. Another way to help prevent bronchiolitis in young children is to clean any shared toys, as young children often put toys in their mouths.
Caregivers of babies can help by not exposing their baby to cigarette smoke, as smoking has been associated with increased infection rates.
When to see a doctor
Most cases of bronchiolitis can be managed at home. However, bronchiolitis can be more severe in some children. In severe cases, children with bronchiolitis may need to go to the hospital. Learn the signs a child needs to be treated in hospital for bronchiolitis in the AboutKidsHealth Bronchiolitis article.
AboutKidsHealth is SickKids’ health-education website and features more than 3,500 articles on a range of paediatric health topics. Find more information on bronchiolitis and other health topics at aboutkidshealth.ca.
