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We are a partnership of NHS, councils, and voluntary sector organisations, working together to improve health and care in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington.

Home E Keeping Well E Adult and Childhood Immunisations E Vaccinations for children and young people E Bronchiolitis and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Bronchiolitis and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Bronchiolitis is an infection that causes the small airways in your child’s lungs to become swollen. This can make it more difficult for your child to breathe.

  • Bronchiolitis affects children under the age of 2 years. It is caused by a virus, often the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • The number of children with RSV is usually highest in winter but bronchiolitis can happen at any time of year
  • Bronchiolitis usually causes cold-like symptoms and mild breathing difficulty. Breathing may be faster than normal as well as noisy and your child may not be able to take their usual amount of milk by breast or bottle
  • Your child may get a little worse each day until the 3rd or 4th day of their illness after which they are likely to start improving
  • Most children get better on their own. There are no medical treatments that speed up recovery from bronchiolitis. Many children will continue to cough for a few weeks afterwards

 

 

Some children, especially those under 6 weeks of age or young children with heart or lung problems, can develop worse breathing difficulty and may need to go to hospital for help supporting their breathing and feeding.

 

What can you do to help your child?
  • Most babies and children can be safely cared for at home.
  • Bronchiolitis can get worse before it starts to get better. Babies and children are often most poorly on day 5 of the illness then start to get better.
  • Keep a close eye on your baby’s breathing and feeding. If you have any new concerns, please look at our red/amber/green table again.
  • If your child is not feeding as normal, offer smaller feeds more often.
  • Children with bronchiolitis may have some distress and discomfort. You may wish to give either Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to make them feel better (Paracetamol can be given from 2 months of age). Please read and follow the instructions on the medicine container.
  • Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus so antibiotics generally don’t help.
  • Keep your baby’s sleep surface flat. Do not incline, tilt or prop the mattress, cot or baby unless advised by a health care professional
  • Avoid co-sleeping with your baby if they are unwell with bronchiolitis or a respiratory tract infection. For more information, see our safe sleeping page.
  • Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke which makes their breathing worse. Remember that smoke stays on your clothes even if you smoke outside. 
  • If you would like help to give up smoking you can get information and advice from your local GP surgery or by calling the National Stop Smoking Helpline Tel: 0300 123 1044 from 7am to 11pm every day.