Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Bronchiolitis - Brief Version
What is bronchiolitis?
Children most often get this disease between 6 months and 2
years of age. If your child has bronchiolitis:
- Your child may wheeze (make a high-pitched whistling
sound when breathing).
- Your child may breathe rapidly (over 40 breaths per
minute).
- Your child may have a cough and cough up a very sticky
mucus.
A virus narrows the small airways of the lungs (the
bronchioles.) This causes your child to wheeze. Your child
may get an ear infection too. A few children may need to
stay in the hospital.
How can I take care of my child?
- It may help to give your child asthma-type medicine.
Your child may need to take medicine prescribed by your
doctor. Keep up with the medicine until your child does
not wheeze for 24 hours. If your child has a high
fever, give acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours or
ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours.
- Use a humidifier. Moist air can help. Dry air tends to
make coughs worse.
- Make sure your child's nose is not blocked up. If the
nose is blocked up, your child will not be able to drink
from a bottle or breast-feed. Put three drops of warm
water or saline in each nostril. After about 1 minute,
use a soft rubber suction bulb to suck out the mucus.
- Make sure your child drinks enough fluids.
Call your child's doctor right away if:
- Your child has a hard time breathing.
- The wheezing gets very bad.
- Your child is breathing faster than 60 breaths per
minute.
- Your child is acting very sick.
Call your child's doctor within 24 hours if:
- Any fever lasts more than 3 days.
- You have any other questions or concerns.
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