Bronchiolitis
Contactyour GP if your child has symptoms of bronchiolitis . A diagnosis isusually based on the symptoms and an examination of your child's breathing.
Your GP will ask about your child's symptoms for example, whether they've had a runny nose, Cough or high temperature (fever) and for how long.
They'll also listen to your child's breathing using a stethoscope, to check for any crackling or high-pitched wheezing as your child breathes in and out.
If your child hasn't been feeding very well or has been vomiting, your GP may also look for signs of dehydration , which include:
Your GP may recommend that your child is admitted to hospital if they aren't feeding properly and are dehydrated, or they're having problems breathing.
Further tests for bronchiolitis aren't usually necessary. However, as some conditions cause similar symptoms to bronchiolitis, such as cystic fibrosis and asthma , tests may be needed.
If it isn't clear what's causing your child's symptoms, or your child has signs of severe bronchiolitis , your GP may recommend further tests in hospital to help confirm the diagnosis.
These tests might include:
Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract infection that affects babies and young children under two years old.
Most children with bronchiolitis have mild symptoms and recover within two to three weeks, but it's important to look out for signs of more serious problems, such as breathing difficulties.
Bronchiolitis is almost always caused by a viral infection. In most cases, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible.
Contact your GP if your child has symptoms of bronchiolitis. A diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms and an examination of your child's breathing.
In most cases, bronchiolitis is mild and gets better without needing treatment within two to three weeks.
If your child develops complications from bronchiolitis, it's likely that they'll need hospital treatment.
The virus that causes bronchiolitis is very common and easily spread, so it's impossible to completely prevent it.