What causes bronchiolitis in infants?
Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus known as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is spread through tiny droplets of liquid from the coughs or sneezes of someone who’s infected. The infection causes the smallest airways in the lungs (the bronchioles) to become infected and inflamed.
What is the difference between RSV and bronchiolitis?
Many symptoms of RSV infection resemble the common cold. These include fever, lots of nasal mucous, cough, sore throat and headache. When these symptoms progress to include problems breathing (wheezing, rapid breathing, decreased oxygen saturation and/or apnea), we say the child has bronchiolitis.
What is difference between bronchitis and bronchiolitis?
Both can be caused by a virus. Both affect the airways in the lungs, but bronchitis affects the larger airways (the bronchi). Bronchiolitis affects the smaller airways (bronchioles). Bronchitis usually affects older children and adults, while bronchiolitis is more common in younger children.
What virus causes bronchiolitis in children?
Bronchiolitis is almost always caused by a viral infection. In most cases, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible. RSV is a very common virus and almost all children are infected with it by the time they’re 2 years old.
Can kids go to nursery with bronchiolitis?
Most babies/children with bronchiolitis get better within about two weeks. Your baby/child can go back to nursery or day care as soon as he or she is well enough (that is feeding normally and with no difficulty in breathing). There is usually no need to see your doctor if your baby/child is recovering well.
How long does it take a baby to get over bronchiolitis?
In most cases, bronchiolitis is mild and gets better within 2 to 3 weeks without needing treatment. A small number of children will still have some symptoms after 4 weeks. In a few cases, the infection is severe enough to require hospital treatment.
Can I catch bronchiolitis from my baby?
If your baby has bronchiolitis, you should avoid contact with other people in the first few days, as the virus that causes bronchiolitis is contagious.
Can you take a baby out with bronchiolitis?
There’s no medicine that can kill the virus that causes bronchiolitis, but you should be able to ease mild symptoms and make your child more comfortable. To avoid the infection spreading to other children, take your child out of nursery or day care and keep them at home until their symptoms have improved.
How long does bronchiolitis last in babies?
Cases of bronchiolitis usually last about 12 days, but kids with severe cases can cough for weeks. The illness generally reaches its peak on the second or third day after coughing begins, causing breathing difficulty before gradually resolving.
Can a baby get bronchiolitis more than once?
Yes, it is possible for your child to get bronchiolitis more than once. You can reduce the risk by taking the steps outlined above. Did you find this information useful?
What are common respiratory conditions in infants?
What are common respiratory conditions in infants? A few of the most common respiratory conditions that infants may suffer from are respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), bronchiolitis, croup and asthma. Whooping cough, or pertussis, used to be very common but, thanks to vaccinations, it is now not very widespread.
What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis?
Signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis include fast breathing or difficulty breathing, shallow breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, nasal congestion, and watery nasal discharge. Other associated symptoms of bronchiolitis can include sore throat, dehydration, loss of appetite, malaise, and coughing.