Bronchiolitis is a very common lung infection in infants less than 2 years old that causes inflammation of the narrower airways of the lung, known as bronchioles. When these channels inflame, they increase the production of mucus that hinders the passage of air, causing difficulty in breathing.
For the first two days, bronchiolitis causes flu-like or cold-like symptoms such as persistent cough, fever over 37.5 ° C, stuffy nose, and runny nose. These symptoms usually last a day or two and then progress to:
- Wheezing;
- Rapid breathing;
- Enlargement of the nostrils while breathing;
- Increased irritability and tiredness;
- Decreased appetite;
- Difficulty sleeping.
Although the symptoms can be scary, bronchiolitis is curable and usually does not need specific treatment, and can be treated at home with some simple care that relieves symptoms and facilitates breathing.
See how bronchiolitis treatment should be done at home.
When to go to the doctor
It is always important to consult your pediatrician when there is any change in the baby's health. However, the most urgent cases of bronchiolitis occur when the baby is very difficult to breathe, the skin of the feet and hands bluish, does not eat, it is possible to notice sinking of the rib muscles when breathing or the fever does not diminish after 3 days.
How To Treat Bronchiolitis
There is no antiviral remedy to eliminate the virus that is causing the disease, but usually the virus is eliminated by the body naturally after 2 or 3 weeks.
During this time it is important to take care of the baby in the same way that it treats a cold, avoiding changes in temperature, making nebulizations and keeping it well hydrated with milk and water. In addition, in some cases of fever, for example, you can consult your pediatrician to use medicines like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, to relieve the symptoms.
It is rarely necessary for the baby to be hospitalized, and these cases only happen when there is a lot of difficulty breathing.
Physiotherapy in bronchiolitis
Physical therapy in children and infants with bronchiolitis may be important especially in more severe cases to reduce the consequences of infection in the respiratory system.
After viral infection, there is often damage to lung tissues, especially bronchi and bronchioles, causing increased production of mucus that impairs the child's breathing. Physical therapy helps in clearing the lungs by performing breathing exercises, reducing the difficulty in breathing.
How to prevent it from appearing again
Brojnuiolite happens when a virus is able to reach the lungs, causing inflammation of the airways. So to prevent this problem from appearing is recommended:
- Prevent your baby from playing with other flu or cold babies ;
- Wash your baby's hands often, especially after being in touch with other people;
- Frequently clean toys and surfaces where baby toys;
- Dressing the baby properly, avoiding abrupt changes in temperature;
- Avoid going in places with a lot of smoke or dust.
Although this infection is very common in any baby up to 2 years of age, the risk of developing it is greater when the baby was born premature, has heart problems, has not been breastfed or has siblings attending schools and other heavily populated places.
