SYMPTOMS: An infant between 2 and 6 months of age, having mild cold-like symptoms with low fever, may
become rapidly ill and restless, develop severe cough, fast
breathing (50 or more breaths per minute) and wheezing, and may become blue. This picture suggests the possibility of
the child having bronchiolitis. This disease is seen mostly during the winter months. It is due to a viral infection and hence
antibiotics are not helpful.
TREATMENT: Children with bronchiolitis often need hospitalisation. An X-ray will be taken. Oxygen and
intravenous fluids may have to be given. If the chest
X-ray shows evidence of a bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics
will be prescribed. If the infant gets more than one attack of
the so called ‘bronchiolitis’, it is possible that he has
asthma and not bronchiolitis.
Try and prevent bronchiolitis by keeping your child away from children or adults who have a viral cold.
