Discharge Instructions - Bronchiolitis

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, your child has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis.  Bronchiolitis is an infection that affects a part of the lungs called the “bronchioles.”  The bronchioles are the small, branching tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.  When these tubes get infected, they get swollen and filled with mucus, which can make it harder to breath.

Bronchiolitis usually affects children younger than 2 years of age.  In most patients, bronchiolitis goes away on its own, but some children need to be seen by a doctor.  The most common cause of bronchiolitis is a viral infection called respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.

Most children with bronchiolitis have a stuffy or runny nose, a mild cough, fever (≥38.0 °C or 100.4 °F), and decreased appetite.  Some will have more severe symptoms, like breathing fast, trouble breathing, pauses in breathing (apnea), wheezing (a whistling sound with exhalation), a severe cough, and trouble eating or drinking leading to dehydration.

Bronchiolitis is most commonly due to a viral infection, so antibiotics do not provide any benefits.  In general, treatment is focused on making sure your child is getting enough oxygen.  One way to help with this is to suction your child’s nose, since RSV commonly causes significant mucus production and runny nose.  Using a humidifier can also be beneficial.  It is also important to make sure your child is getting enough fluids to prevent dehydration.  This can be accomplished by giving your child small amounts of fluid more frequently throughout the day.

Return to the Emergency Department if your child develops stops breathing even briefly, has a very hard time breathing, starts to turn blue (cyanosis) or pale, starts grunting, looks like he/she is getting tired of having to work so hard to breath, or has any new or concerning symptoms.