WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Bronchiolitis (bronk-ee-o-LIE-tis) is an infection of the
airways in the lungs. The infected airways swell and cause
trouble breathing. The disease is common in winter and early
spring. Children less than 18 months old are more likely to get
bronchiolitis. Antibiotics will not work, but other
medicines can be given to help the child feel better. The child
may be sick for 2 to 7 days and get better in 10 to 14 days.
Most children won't get bronchiolitis more than
once.
Causes
Bronchiolitis begins with a cold--sneezing and a runny
nose.
Signs/Symptoms
The child may have fever, cough,
and trouble breathing. He or she may wheeze (a noise heard when
breathing in and out) for 7 days and cough for 14 days. The
child may seem more tired than usual. Ear infections are
common with bronchiolitis. Signs of an ear infection are ear
tugging, ear pain, and fever. Call your doctor if any of these
occur.
Risks
Children can die from bronchiolitis. But the risks of
serious illness or death are very small if you follow your
doctor's directions.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
If you have a humidifier, run it in the child's room,
out of reach of the bed. Fill it with cool water. Direct
the mist stream towards your child's face. Using the
humidifier will help loosen the sputum in your child's
throat, making it easier to breathe.
-
Hanging wrung-out wet towels or sheets in your
child's room will also add moisture to the
air.
-
Extra bed pillows will raise your child's head and
make breathing easier.
-
Once the breathing is easier, keep the child warm and
give clear liquids (water, apple juice, lemonade, tea, or
ginger ale). The liquids should be room temperature. Giving
plenty of liquids will keep the child's sputum
thin.
-
Keep the child's nose mucus-free. Gently use a rubber
bulb suction device to remove the
mucus.
-
You should try to stay calm and have your child rest
as much as possible. If children are afraid and crying,
their breathing problems and coughing will get worse. It
may help to have the child sleep in the same room with you,
where he or she will feel safer.
-
Do not let anyone smoke near the child. Smoke can
make the child's coughing and breathing problems
worse.
-
If the child has a high fever, give acetaminophen,
Not aspirin.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
Your child is more sleepy than usual, is urinating
less, has a dry mouth and cracked lips, cries without
tears, or is dizzy. These are signs of
dehydration.
-
The child has a high
temperature.
-
The child is tugging his or her ears, has ear pain,
or fever.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
Call 911 or O (operator) for help if your child has
any of the following signs: trouble breathing or
swallowing, the skin between the ribs is being sucked-in
with each breath, or the lips or fingernails are turning
blue or white.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your child's
stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include the child's
temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting heartbeats),
and respirations (counting breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to the heart and lungs. Blood pressure is taken
by wrapping a cuff around the child's
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: The child may be hooked up to a
pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on the ear,
finger, or toe and is connected to a machine that measures
the oxygen in your child's blood.
-
Oxygen: The child will probably be placed in a clear
plastic mist tent. This will help make breathing easier.
Oxygen also may be given using nasal prongs or a face
mask.
-
Breathing Treatments: A machine will be used to help
the child inhale medicine that keeps the airways open. A
doctor will assist with these treatments. At first, they
may be needed quite often. Later, they may be needed only
if the child is having trouble
breathing.
-
IV: A tube placed in your child's veins for giving
medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing
connected to it. Encourage your child to drink liquids when
the IV is removed.
-
Chest X-ray: This is a picture of the heart and
lungs. The doctor uses it to see how your child's heart and
lungs are handling the illness.
-
Blood: Is usually taken from a vein in your child's
hand or from the bend in the elbow. Tests are done on the
blood.
-
Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your
child's wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested to see how
much oxygen it contains.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your child's chest are hooked up to a TV-type
screen. This screen shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Your
child's heart will be watched for signs of injury or damage
that could be related to the illness.
-
Visiting: You may stay with the child to give
comfort and support. Your child will feel safer in the
hospital with you nearby.
After You Leave
-
Little can be done to keep your child from getting a
cold that can cause bronchiolitis, but try to avoid anyone
who has a cold. Wash your hands often with soap to try to
avoid spreading infection.
-
If the child does get a cold, use a cool mist
humidifier in his or her room.
-
If the child develops another case of bronchiolitis,
follow the guidelines under ""What You Should Do,''
above.
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