“30% of children under the age of two are affected by bronchiolitis each year,” according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention. This viral infection affecting the small bronchi generally begins to spread in mid-October. The virus circulates every year until the end of winter.
1. What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?
It is possible to recognize bronchiolitis in babies by several characteristic symptoms, such as:
Furthermore, other signs can alert parents when an infant is sick. He is then often more irritable than usual and shows signs of fatigue. You may also notice a decrease in appetite.
2. What is the average duration of bronchiolitis in a baby?
The duration of bronchiolitis in babies is generally around 10 days. However, this can vary from one infant to another. The symptoms are more severe during the first days. It is then advisable to closely monitor the baby. In the majority of cases, the young child’s condition worsens quickly, before gradually starting to improve.
3. How to treat bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a viral illness which is often not serious, but which requires medical consultation and close monitoring of the baby, as it may require hospitalization of the child. It is therefore advisable to go to your doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear. “In the vast majority of cases, hospitalization is not necessary. The treatment is based on a non-drug approach with, as the main action, washing the nose,” according to the High Authority of Health. Cleaning the nose can be done with physiological serum. It is also advisable to regularly offer breast milk or infant formula to the baby, to ensure that he or she remains well hydrated. It should be noted that tobacco or irritants, such as perfumes and chemicals, can worsen symptoms. If possible, the infant should be in a calm and restful environment to facilitate recovery.
4. How to prevent bronchiolitis in babies?
Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus, the respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, which is transmitted via bronchial secretions, by direct contact or via a contaminated object. There are several actions to adopt by parents and those around them in order to limit the risk of bronchiolitis contamination:
- Ventilate the home regularly.
- Wear a mask whenever you have a cough or fever.
- Do not take your baby to confined public places when the virus is circulating.
- Avoid sharing unwashed bottles, pacifiers or cutlery.
- Do not smoke near infants and children.
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Read also :
⋙ How to differentiate bronchiolitis from a simple cold in a baby?
⋙ Bronchiolitis: when to worry? Signs of worsening to recognize
⋙ Bronchiolitis in adults: cause, symptoms, contagion, treatment