Acute bronchiolitis is common in children under 2. When your child wheezes, breathes fast or struggles to breathe, watch closely and see a doctor early.
Acute bronchiolitis is a common respiratory illness in young children, especially those under 2 years old. It is mostly caused by viruses and usually appears a few days after the child has had upper respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing.
How the illness develops
Bronchioles are the very small airways deep inside the lungs. When they become inflamed, swollen and produce a lot of mucus, a child's already narrow airways become even more blocked. Air has trouble getting through, so the child wheezes and, in more serious cases, has difficulty breathing. Among children under 2, babies younger than 12 months are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.
The illness tends to rise when the seasons change or when respiratory illnesses are spreading widely. The virus passes to children through small droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes, or through hands and objects carrying germs.
Signs parents should watch for
At first, the illness looks like an ordinary cold. It then spreads to the lower part of the airways, with signs such as:
- Coughing, runny nose, stuffy nose.
- Wheezing, or a whistling sound when breathing.
- Breathing faster than normal.
- Difficulty breathing, with the chest pulling in or sinking each time the child breathes in.
- Some children have a fever, others do not.
- Poor feeding and difficulty eating because of a blocked nose and the effort of breathing.
Wheezing is a notable sign, but not every wheeze means bronchiolitis, because many other respiratory illnesses can cause it too. Parents should not guess the illness themselves or buy medicine for their child on their own.
Caring for your child at home
Because it is mostly caused by viruses, the main task is good care and close monitoring of how your child is doing, without giving medicine on your own. Parents can:
- Keep the child's nose clear as shown by a health worker, helping them breathe and feed more easily.
- Give the child enough fluids and keep breastfeeding; if the child is tired or has trouble breathing, offer smaller, more frequent feeds and meals.
- Let the child rest, and keep them away from cigarette smoke, dust and anything that irritates the airways.
- When the child has a fever or is uncomfortable, use medicine only as prescribed by a doctor. Do not give your child any medicine on your own before they have been examined.
When to take your child to a doctor
Take your child to a doctor when they wheeze a lot, have coughed for several days in a row, or their symptoms are not improving. Take your child to a medical facility right away if you notice:
- Refusing to feed or feeding much less.
- Fast breathing, labored breathing, the chest sinking in when breathing in.
- Bluish lips or fingertips, or unusually pale skin.
- Very drowsy, hard to wake, poorly responsive.
- Symptoms getting steadily worse.
The younger the child, the faster breathing difficulties can become serious, so do not wait until your child turns blue before going.
Protecting your child from illness
Wash your hands well before caring for your child, keep your child away from people who are coughing or have a fever, and avoid crowded places when respiratory illnesses are going around. Keep your home smoke-free, and make sure your child eats well, sleeps well and gets all recommended vaccinations. Most children recover well with proper care, as long as parents keep an eye on their breathing, feeding and overall condition.
Trusted clinic for bronchiolitis in children in Ho Chi Minh City
For nearly 20 years, Ky Hoa Medical Center has cared for the health of people in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together highly qualified doctors who are attentive at every visit. When bronchiolitis in children needs checking, our Pediatrics doctors take time to listen, examine carefully and explain clearly so that you fully understand your child's condition, then agree together on a care and follow-up plan.
The center operates under Operating License No. 00449/HCM-GPHĐ, with a list of medical techniques approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health (Decision 471/QĐ-SYT), and is a primary care facility contracted with Ho Chi Minh City Social Security, accepting health insurance (BHYT) visits on Saturdays as well. The practising certificates of our 24 doctors are published on our Doctors page.
When your child is wheezing, has a lingering cough or shows signs of difficulty breathing, you can bring them to the Pediatrics department at Ky Hoa Medical Center, where a doctor will examine them and advise on care; simply walk in during opening hours and take a queue number. If your child is struggling to breathe or turning blue, take them to the nearest medical facility right away.
Ky Hoa Medical Center
Address: 266A - 268 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:30 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 17:00 (closed on Sunday)
Hotline: 028.3868.1097
Source: Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) newspaper