Bronchiolitis is an infection that causes the tiniest airways in your child’s lungs to become swollen. This can make it more difficult for your child to breathe:
Bronchiolitis is caused by virus infections
It is common in winter months and usually only causes mild cold like symptoms
Most children get better on their own
Some children, especially very young ones, can have difficulty with breathing or feeding and may need to go to hospital
Paediatric Pathway
Click here to view the bronchiolitis paediatric pathway.
Severe difficulty in breathing - too breathless to feed
Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
Becomes extremely agitated, confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
Is under 3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
Has laboured/rapid breathing or they are working hard to breathe – drawing in of the muscles below their lower ribs, at their neck or between their ribs (recession)
Seems dehydrated (sunken eyes, drowsy or not passed urine for more that 12 hours)
Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy)
Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or above for more than 5 days
Seems to be getting worse or if you are worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If none of the features in the red or amber boxes above are present
Self care
Using the advice below you can look after your child at home
This guidance has been reviewed and adapted by healthcare professionals across Hounslow with consent from the Hounslow development groups.
If your child is not feeding as normal offer smaller feeds but more frequently
Children with bronchiolitis may have some signs of distress and discomfort. You may wish to give either Paracetamol or liquid Ibuprofen to give some relief of symptoms (Paracetamol can be given from 2 months of age). Please read and follow the instructions on the medicine container
If your child is already taking medicines or inhalers, you should carry on using these. If you find it difficult to get your child to take them, ask your Pharmacist, Health Visitor or GP. Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus so antibiotics will not help
Make sure your child is not exposed to tobacco smoke. Passive smoking can seriously damage your child’s health. It makes breathing problems like bronchiolitis worse
Remember smoke remains on your clothes even if you smoke outside
If you would like help to give up smoking you can get information / advice from your local GP surgery or by calling the National Stop Smoking Helpline Tel: 0800 169 0 169 from 7am to 11pm every day.
Your child may have a runny nose and sometimes a temperature and a cough
After a few days your child’s cough may become worse
Your child’s breathing may be faster than normal and it may become noisy
He or she may need to make more effort to breathe
Sometimes, in the very young babies, bronchiolitis may cause them to have brief pauses in their breathing
As breathing becomes more difficult, your baby may not be able to take their usual amount of milk by breast or bottle
You may notice fewer wet nappies than usual
Your child may vomit after feeding and become miserable
Most children with bronchiolitis will seem to worsen during the first 1-3 days of the illness before beginning to improve over the next two weeks. The cough may go on for a few more weeks. Antibiotics are not required
Your child can go back to nursery or day care as soon as he or she is well enough (that is feeding normally and with no difficulty in breathing)
There is usually no need to see your doctor if your child is recovering well. But if you are worried about your child’s progress discuss this with your Health Visitor, Practice Nurse or GP or contact NHS 111
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