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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for our Patients and Families |
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Dekalb Pediatric Center 404-508-1177 |
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To contact us: |
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Bronchiolitis and Croup |
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Bronchiolitis |
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Bronchiolitis is a very common infection of infants and young children. A virus, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, causes inflammation in the lining of the small bronchial tubes. It is almost impossible to make it to 2 years of age without at least one episode of bronchiolitis. It is most common in winter and early spring and in 3-6 month olds. Typically a runny nose comes first, followed a few days later by a tight deep sounding cough or a whistling wheeze, often with more rapid breathing.. Fever may be present. The cough or wheeze often lasts 5-10 days. The peak of the illness is usually between day 3 and 6. Mild symptoms are self limited and will go away with no treatment. If your child is taking fluids and has no signs of respiratory distress supportive care can be done at home. Fluids, Tylenol for fever, a cool mist humidifier, gentle nasal suctioning, and upright positioning may help the symptoms. In older children bronchiolitis often seems like a bad cold with cough or mild wheeze. In small babies, especially premature babies the illness can be more serious. Some babies will have difficulty feeding and start breathing very rapidly, pulling in between their ribs with each breath. They may become lethargic and have poor color. If any of those symptoms start to develop in your child medical care needs to be sought immediately. Read all about bronchiolitis here. CROUP Croup is a viral infection common in young children that causes swelling in the voice box and windpipe. The main symptoms are a harsh, barky cough, sometimes with a raspy, hoarse voice, other cold symptoms and fever. A crowing noise called stridor is often heard when breathing in. It is different from wheezing which is a sound with expiration (breathing out). Croup is worse at night than in the day, sounds way more scary than it usually is and most often goes away on its own in 2-5 days. Many people describe the distinctive cough as a barking seal. The typical pattern is to have an attack, sound terrible, respond to symptomatic care, go back to sleep, then wake again throughout the night with repeated attacks. Home care usually works to ease the symptoms: · Stay calm and comfort your child; crying makes the noisy breathing seem worse · Moist air often helps. Try steaming up the bathroom and letting your child breath the moist air for 10 minutes, or hold your child directly over the vapor from a humidifier. Keep a humidifier running in the bedroom. · The cold night air often helps. Dress your child warmly and go outside for 10 minutes or try putting your child’s face right up to an open freezer. · Tylenol or Motrin if your child has a fever |
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Your child is breathing very fast and hard, pulling in at the ribs or flaring at the nose Your child may be dehydrated from decreased intake or vomiting, or is having trouble feeding Your child has a high fever, has a worsening cough, or seems lethargic, very sleepy or tired Call immediately or call 911 if your child’s condition rapidly changes, and gets worse with increased difficulty breathing, retractions, or if the lips or nails appear blue.
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Bronchiolitis: When to Call |
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Croup: When to Call |
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Your child does not respond after 30 minutes of symptomatic care and still has stridor at rest Your child can not get comfortable or go back to sleep after 30 minutes of treatment or seems agitated and very irritable Call immediately or call 911 if your child has signs of respiratory distress such as breathing very fast using the abdominal muscles or sucking in between the ribs or flaring the nose. Remember you child’s cough will sound bad, but it is only a concern if there is respiratory distress. Call immediately or call 911 if your child has any color change– pale, gray or bluish skin. Call us during the day if your child continues with a barky cough requiring symptomatic treatment in the daytime, the symptoms last more than 5 days, or you have any other concerns. |