What is Bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection most often affecting babies and children under 2 years old. The virus causes their airways to become swollen and full of mucous, making it difficult for them to breathe and drink milk or eat. Most children will get better by resting at home.
Common symptoms of bronchiolitis
Your child might have:
- Sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and a fever (like having a cold)
- A cough
- Fast or noisy breathing
- Drinking and eating less than usual
- Being irritable
Symptoms are often worse after 3 to 5 days and also at night. The cough can last for a few weeks.
Watch this video to learn more:
How can I look after my child at home?
You can help by:
- Keeping your child upright when awake to help them breathe more easily
- Saline nose drops can help unblock their nose (available from your local pharmacy)
- Giving smaller, more frequent drinks if they are struggling to feed
- Giving children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever
- (follow the instructions on the packet)
- Checking on them often during the day and night
Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and vapes because passive smoking can cause serious damage your child’s health and make their breathing worse. Remember smoke remains on your clothes even if you smoke outside. If you need help giving up smoking call the free Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044 or visit the NHS website.
When should I be worried and what should I do?
Watch these videos to understand some of the signs that your child is struggling to breathe, including:
Recessions:
Their tummy of neck pulling in when they breathe
Grunting:
Making noises when they breathe out.
Please attend your local Emergency Department or call 999 if your child:
- Has blue lips
- Has irregular or severe difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises, their neck or tummy sucking in under their ribs (recessions) or they may be breathing quickly.
- Has pauses in their breathing
- Becomes agitated, floppy or difficult to wake
- Is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher (a fever)
Please ring your GP or 111 for advice if your child:
- Is working hard to breathe – you may see drawing in of rib and neck muscles (recessions)
- Has signs of dehydration like a dry mouth, sunken eyes or sunken fontanelle (soft spot on their head), or not passed urine for more than 8 hours
- Is feeding less than normal
- Has a temperature of 38°C or higher (a fever) for more than 5 days
- Is getting worse, or you are worried
NHS 111 can help if you think your child needs medical help right now. You can get help from NHS 111:
- By using 111 online (if your child is 5 years old or older)
- By calling 111 – you can ask for an interpreter
- By Text Relay – call 18001 111 using text relay, 24 hours a day
- By using signvideo.co.uk/nhs111 if you need British Sign Language
Preventing bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a virus called RSV. This is a common cold virus and spreads easily between children and in families. Pregnant mums can get the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy. This helps protect babies from getting very poorly with bronchiolitis during their first 6 months of life.
Vaccinations during pregnancy are safe and offer the best protection against illness and complications from COVID-19, flu and whooping cough. Speak to a trusted healthcare professional such as your GP or midwife and visit Greater Manchester Vaccinations during pregnancy for more information on availability, safety and booking appointments.
To book a vaccination visit the NHS Vaccinations National Booking Service or call 119.