Does your baby have a fever, cough, or runny nose? Does his breathing seem insufficient to you? Bronchiolitis is surely the cause. How to treat her? What are the right things to do to prevent its onset? We tell you everything
Every year, 30% of children under the age of 2 are infected with bronchiolitis, it is a very widespread and very contagious disease. It is therefore important to use the right gestures in your daily life. The bronchiolitis epidemic is seasonal and usually begins in the middle of October and ends at the end of winter with a peak in December. It begins with a simple viral cold, often transmitted by people close to the baby through saliva, coughing or sneezing. This cold degenerates into a dry cough, and then causes significant difficulty in breathing. Simple actions can limit the contamination of infants and allow them to pass the winter without difficulty. In addition, you will find on the site of Public Health France, a document sharing many tips with you.
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What steps can be taken to prevent the spread of the virus?
Respecting barrier gestures is essential. Fabienne Kochert, liberal pediatrician and president of AFPA Neonatology (French association for ambulatory pediatrics), declares it is necessary to “respect barrier gestures such as hand washing, ventilation, surface disinfection, but also to wear a mask for colds “, these actions will protect children from bronchiolitis but also from all infectious diseases.
- Wash your hands with soap as soon as you get home and before looking after your baby. Hand washing should be done several times a day and last at least 30 seconds to be effective.
- Air the nursery room for an average of 15 minutes each day.
- Maintain a temperature of 19 ° C in the baby’s room.
- Don’t kiss your little one if you have a cold.
- If you have a cold, wear a surgical mask to take care of your baby.
- Avoid going to confined and crowded public places with babies, such as the metro or shopping centers (risk of contact with people with colds).
- Do not exchange uncleaned bottles, pacifiers or cutlery.
- Regularly wash toys and blankets.
- Avoid smoky places that irritate the child’s airways.
- Throughout the most critical period (October / December) prevent the baby from being too kissed by everyone (cousins, childminder, neighbor, etc.).
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How to treat bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis, like most viruses, cannot be treated with drugs. “She heals herself in the vast majority of cases,” say some pediatricians.
- Offer to drink regularly to avoid the risk of dehydration.
- Clean the baby’s nose with saline solution at least 6 times a day, especially before feeding or drinking.
- Do not hesitate to divide his meals by giving him food more frequently and in small quantities.
- Lower the fever, especially by not covering the child too much or with paracetamol
- In the event of respiratory discomfort and difficulty in eating, consult the doctor promptly.
- Raise baby’s mattress to help her breathe easier.
- Never smoke near your child.