Bronchiolitis In Babies – 4 Causes & Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

I m a g e : S h u t t e r s t o c k

I s your l i t t l e one c o u g h i n g incessantly? A r e you w o r r i e d that y o u r baby i s suffering f r o m fever a n d a l o s s of a p p e t i t e of l a t e ? Well, i f you c a n relate y o u r precious b a b y to t h e above s i t u a t i o n s chances a r e he m a y be s u f f e r i n g from b r o n c h i o l i t i s .

B r o n c h i o l i t i s is c o m m o n in b a b i e s who a r e between t h r e e and s i x months o l d . One i n every t h r e e children m a y develop b r o n c h i o l i t i s in t h e first y e a r of t h e i r life. Do y o u want t o know h o w you c a n detect a n d prevent t h e infection? G i v e this a r t i c l e a r e a d !

W h a t Is B r o n c h i o l i t i s In B a b i e s ?

B r o n c h i o l i t i s is a condition i n which t h e mucus f i l l s the a i r passages i n a b a b y ’ s lungs. I t causes i n f l a m m a t i o n and r e d u c e s the a m o u n t of a i r entering t h e lungs, m a k i n g it d i f f i c u l t for a child t o breathe.

C a u s e s Of B r o n c h i o l i t i s In I n f a n t s :

R e s p i r a t o r y syncytial v i r u s (RSV) is t h e most c o m m o n cause o f bronchiolitis i n babies. T h e viral i n f e c t i o n spreads t h r o u g h contact o r by i n h a l i n g the t i n y droplets o f fluid t h a t a p a t i e n t emits w h i l e sneezing o r coughing. A baby m a y be p r o n e to b r o n c h i o l i t i s due t o other r i s k factors l i k e :

S y m p t o m s Of B r o n c h i o l i t i s :

T h e symptoms o f bronchiolitis i n c l u d e :

Chills
S o r e throat
R u n n y nose
Aches
S h o r t n e s s of b r e a t h
D r y cough
L o s s of a p p e t i t e

Diagnosis:

Y o u r pediatrician w i l l evaluate t h e condition o f your b a b y based o n his s y m p t o m s . To d i a g n o s e the c o n d i t i o n , the d o c t o r will e x a m i n e your b a b y ’ s breathing w i t h a s t e t h o s c o p e . He w i l l place a device o n the e n d of y o u r baby’s f i n g e r to m e a s u r e the a m o u n t of o x y g e n in h i s blood. H e will a l s o get a chest x – r a y done t o make s u r e that y o u r infant i s not s u f f e r i n g from p n e u m o n i a . Let t h e doctor k n o w if y o u r baby’s c o u g h is g e t t i n g worse a f t e r a f e w days o r if h i s fever i s above 1 0 3 degrees F .

T i p s To T r e a t Infant B r o n c h i o l i t i s At H o m e :

B r o n c h i o l i t i s is n o t a s e r i o u s condition. I t normally g o e s away a s the i m m u n e system f i g h t s the v i r a l infection. Y o u can t a k e the f o l l o w i n g measures a t home t o alleviate t h e symptoms o f bronchiolitis a n d relieve y o u r baby:

1 . Prevent D e h y d r a t i o n :

G i v e plenty o f fluids t o your b a b y . It w i l l relieve l u n g congestion a n d will p r e v e n t dehydration. R u n a h u m i d i f i e r in y o u r child’s r o o m and p l a y area.

2 . Clear S t u f f y Nose:

Y o u can c h e c k with y o u r doctor a n d give s a l i n e nasal d r o p to e a s e your c h i l d ’ s nasal c o n g e s t i o n . Put t w o drops o f nasal d r o p in y o u r baby’s n o s e and t h e n suction i t out w i t h a b u l b syringe. D o not g i v e any c o u g h syrup t o your c h i l d . Coughing u p mucus w i l l help h i m recover f a s t .

3 . Control F e v e r :

T o ease y o u r baby’s f e v e r , ask y o u r doctor a n d give h i m ibuprofen or a c e t a m i n o p h e n . Make s u r e you c o n s u l t your d o c t o r before g i v i n g any m e d i c i n e and s t r i c t l y follow h i s instructions r e g a r d i n g the d o s a g e .

I f your c h i l d is d o w n with t h e infection, k e e p him a t home o n l y . It w i l l help p r e v e n t the i n f e c t i o n from s p r e a d i n g and a f f e c t i n g other c h i l d r e n . Make s u r e your b a b y gets p l e n t y of r e s t . Remember, t h a t dust, s m o k e , and c o l d weather w i l l irritate h i s airways a n d aggravate t h e problem. P r o v i d e a c l e a n , smoke-free e n v i r o n m e n t for h i m to r e c u p e r a t e .

W h e n To S e e k Medical H e l p ?

I f your i n f a n t is h a v i n g mild c o l d symptoms, t h e n there i s no n e e d to p a n i c . Contact y o u r pediatrician i f your b a b y develops a n y of t h e following s y m p t o m s :

D i f f i c u l t y in b r e a t h i n g
H a s high f e v e r
S u f f e r s from i r r i t a t i o n and f a t i g u e
D o e s not w e t nappy o r diaper
H a s a h i g h breathing r a t e
S u f f e r s from a loss o f appetite

I t is v e r y important t o seek m e d i c a l advice i f your b a b y is l e s s than 1 2 weeks o l d . Also, c o n t a c t the d o c t o r if t h e baby i s suffering f r o m any u n d e r l y i n g health p r o b l e m s like c o n g e n i t a l heart o r lung c o n d i t i o n .

H o s p i t a l i z a t i o n And M e d i c a t i o n :

C h i l d r e n who a r e suffering f r o m acute b r e a t h i n g problem m a y need h o s p i t a l i z a t i o n . Administration o f intravenous ( I V ) f l u i d s or i n t a k e of a special l i q u i d diet c a n help p r e v e n t dehydration. I f your b a b y is s u f f e r i n g from a bacterial i n f e c t i o n , then t h e doctor w i l l prescribe s o m e antibiotics.

H o w To P r e v e n t Bronchiolitis?

P r e v e n t i o n is a l w a y s better t h a n cure. H e r e are a few w a y s you c a n prevent y o u r child f r o m contracting b r o n c h i o l i t i s :

W a s h his h a n d s frequently. Y o u should a l s o use a hand s a n i t i z e r .
K e e p the b a b y away f r o m anyone w h o has c o l d , flu o r runny n o s e .
W a s h or w i p e your b a b y ’ s toys r e g u l a r l y .
O n c e your b a b y is s i x months o l d , get h i m a f l u vaccination. C h i l d r e n who a r e at a high r i s k of b r o n c h i o l i t i s must g e t monthly s h o t s during t h e peak s e a s o n .
B r e a s t f e e d your b a b y to b o o s t his i m m u n i t y .

N o w you k n o w how t o help y o u r baby r e c o v e r from a bout o f bronchiolitis. S o , why w a i t ? Spread t h e word! B r o n c h i o l i t i s infant c a n be t r e a t e d .

D o you h a v e any t i p s or s u g g e s t i o n s to t r e a t bronchiolitis i n children? T h e n share i t with u s in t h e comments s e c t i o n below.

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