Is your baby having a hard time breathing and losing appetite lately? Chances are, he/she has bronchitis which is very common between the ages of three and six months old.
When mucus fills the air passages in the lungs, it causes inflammation and prevents proper breathing and air flow regulation. This causes the baby to cough, giving him/her a hard time breathing. Bronchitis is a contagious condition in babies.
In Bronchitis, the larger airways get infected due to excessive mucus production which the lungs try to eliminate through coughing. However, in Bronchiolitis, inflammation results in congestion of the bronchioles (small airways) which causes breathing difficulties in children.
Acute Bronchiolitis in infants and babies are caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and those with existing heart or lung conditions need to be hospitalized immediately when diagnosed with this illness. Most young children below one year old face RSV infections, however, only 10% develop a Bronchiolitis condition.
Most Bronchiolitis cases last up to 12 days, however, coughing and wheezing may continue for weeks even after this period. During the second or third day, the child faces breathing difficulty at its peak after which recovery ensues.
Babies are most likely to get Bronchiolitis between the ages of three months to six months old. Chances of developing Bronchiolitis increase when they are directly exposed to cigarette smoke and if they develop prematurely or if they have not been properly breastfed. Children who have a weakened immune system or have chronic heart/lung disease are also at risk of developing Bronchiolitis.
The following are the primary causes of Bronchiolitis in babies
You can prevent and treat Bronchiolitis early by taking note of the following symptoms-
Diagnosis of Bronchiolitis is usually done at the hospital or clinic. The doctor will collect a mucus sample of your child using a cotton swab and observe your child’s breathing patterns by listening in to his/her chest through a stethoscope. If your child is suffering from severe Bronchiolitis, your doctor may-
Your doctor may also ask whether your child has been refusing to eat or not and look for signs of dehydration due to improper breastfeeding such as dry mouth and skin and little to lack of sufficient urination.
Cyanosis is a potential complication caused by severe Bronchiolitis and is noted by a blue tinge on the skin due to lack of sufficient oxygenation in blood cells. Dehydration accompanies severe Bronchiolitis developments alongside fatigue and in extreme cases, respiratory failure which leads to death in babies. If your child’s Bronchiolitis condition is accompanied by severe cold, he/she may be susceptible to pneumonia.
There are various ways to treat infant Bronchiolitis. They are-
Hospitalisation And Medication
If your child is in the extreme stages of Bronchiolitis, then medications and hospitalization are necessary. A special liquid diet along with the administration of IV fluids will be given to your child to prevent dehydration and worsening of existing symptoms. Some antibiotics may be prescribed if your doctor observes any signs of lung infections linked to your child’s acute Bronchiolitis.
The best way to prevent acute Bronchiolitis is by spotting common symptoms and beginning prevention treatment at home. Here are a couple of home remedies that work wonders for children-
Bronchiolitis can be detected and prevented early on if you take a couple of precautions and safe measures. Here’s how you prevent it in infants and babies-
You should call the doctor immediately if you notice your child persistently coughing and breathing gets laboured. If your child experiences vomiting, has trouble eating properly, and is less than 12 months old with low birth weight, then you must immediately get him/her checked up at the clinic for precautionary measures. A dead giveaway for Bronchiolitis is if your child’s skin turns blue (including lips and fingernails) and if their ribs go inward when they inhale breaths.
Although there are no specific treatment options available for complications of Bronchiolitis, the best way you can get your child treated is to prevent it early on. Make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle and incorporate the above tips and practices to prevent Bronchiolitis from occurring in the future.
Also read: A Guide To Baby Allergies & How To Handle Them