Bronchiolitis is an infection of the respiratory tract that is the most frequent cause of admission in children under two years. At least 40 percent of children suffer an episode of bronchiolitis before the first year of life. The worst part is taken by babies and young children because their airways, being small, block more easily.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Bronchiolitis, one of the most frequent diseases in childhood, is caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common and very contagious virus that causes between 60 and 80% of serious respiratory infections in babies, also pneumonia.
It consists of one inflammation of the bronchioles, the last ramifications of the bronchial tubes, which measure just 2 mm in diameter, when infected, become inflamed and obstruct preventing the passage of air, causing respiratory failure.
In Babies and more The most frequent diseases in childhood
Symptoms of bronchiolitis
- There may be fever or not. If there is, it is a moderate fever (38º-39º)
- Respiratory difficulty (with wheezing - acute wheezing - and chest subsidence)
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Loss of appetite
- There may be associated otitis
- Decay
- Young children can hardly present episodes in which they stop breathing for a short time.
- Purple skin due to lack of oxygen (go to the emergency room)
In the case of Babies under two years of age may have the specialist decide hospital admission between three and seven days in order to carefully monitor the condition of the baby, administer fluids and oxygenation.
Bronchiolitis makes it difficult for the baby to breathe and should be treated with inhalers, and sometimes even with corticosteroids (according to pediatric assessment). The support treatment consists of dividing the shots (less food every less time), semi-incorporated position, frequent nasal washes with physiological serum, and keeping the child hydrated. It is also recommended in these cases respiratory physiotherapy, soft patting on the back with the hollow hand to help eliminate mucus.
You should avoid smoke in the house, and charged environments, as well as maintain the environment with an adequate humidity level. As for medications, they should be prescribed by the pediatrician, but antibiotics and only anti-thermal drugs are not used in case of fever.
In Babies and more The vaccine against bronchiolitis and pneumonia could be very closePrevent bronchiolitis
Being produced by a virus, it is hardly preventable, but there are certain measures that we can take to prevent infection, such as:
Wash hands frequently: Handwashing is the best prevention for infection, both from this and any virus.
If there is a baby at home, wash and make others wash their hands before picking it up or touching it. Children under one year are very prone to infection.
Especially protect premature children and babies with congenital heart disease, with Down syndrome and those with respiratory diseases.
It is a resistant virus and maintains its ability to spread for several hours, therefore avoid contact with infected people, as well as with your clothes or personal belongings.
Avoid sharing pacifiers, bottles, toys and utensils, as far as possible. If the child takes a glass or cup to the nursery, keep it always clean. If you have a pacifier, always store it in a pacifier holder.
Avoid closed and crowded environments, and spaces with smoke, as well as ventilate the rooms daily.
Children with bronchiolitis they should not go to the nursery.
Keep surfaces clean They are in contact with the baby.
Use disposable tissues and throw them away after each use.
In Babies and more Bronchiolitis increases the risk of developing asthma in childrenA possible vaccine
Being such a frequent disease, scientists investigate a vaccine for pregnant women that may decrease the risk of bronchiolitis in the baby.
Since it is not possible to vaccinate a newborn until two months (there are very few vaccines that are given before), and due to the risk of contracting the disease in that deprotection window, the solution would be to administer it to the pregnant woman so that the mother passes the defenses to the baby through the placenta.
Hopefully it will soon be a reality and the cases of bronchiolitis in small babies will decrease.
