Cheatography
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What you need to know as a parent of an infant with bronchiolitis.
This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.
Warning
This cheat sheet is intended only as an informative aid for parents of children with bronchiolitis. |
It should not be used for diagnosis and does not provide medical advice. |
If in any doubt about the health of your child, please seek professional medical assistance. |
What is Bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the lungs |
It usually occurs in children under 2 and is most common during winter |
It can be caused by several viruses, usually RSV but also metapneumovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, coronavirus, adenovirus, and rhinovirus |
Treatment usually consists of support while the child deals with the virus |
Usually improves within a week, leaving a residual cough |
In 90% of cases it is completely cleared within 2-3 weeks |
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Signs and Symptoms
Initial symptoms are like a common cold for the first couple of days |
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Runny nose |
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Mild cough |
Breathing then usually becomes more difficult |
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Drawing in under the ribcage |
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head bobbing while breathing |
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Nostrils flair while breathing |
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Wheezing |
Other symptoms may include |
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Pale or blueish skin |
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Poor feeding |
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Fast feeding |
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Worsening Cough |
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Fever |
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How Does Bronchiolitis Make Breathing Difficult?
The bronchioles are some of the smaller airways in the lungs |
The viral infection causes an inflamation of the bronchioles, making it harder to breathe |
It also causes sticky mucus to be released, which can also make the bronchioles harder to inflate |
Adults have larger airways and greater lung strength, so are not affected by the viruses in the same way |
Notes
The virus is spread to infants by coming into direct contact with nose and throat fluids of someone who has the illness. This can happen when another child or an adult who has a virus:
Sneezes or coughs nearby and tiny droplets in the air are then breathed in by the infant
Touches toys or other objects that are then touched by the infant |
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