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Breathing Problems (Bronchiolitis)
Breathing Problems (Bronchiolitis) (a viral infection of the lower airways which affects infants and young children)

Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
  • Severe breathing problems characterized by: severe wheezing, rapid breathing (greater than 60 breaths/minute), blue tinge to lips and/or finger nails, skin sucking in and out between ribs with each breath,
  • Child looks and acts very sick
  • Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, little or no fluid intake, little or no urine output, sunken eyes and "soft spot", no tears)
Yes No
Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening.


  • symptoms of Bronchiolitis are similar to asthma.
  • Bronchiolitis is a viral illness usually affecting children ages 6 months - 2 years (most cases are seen in children 6 months and younger).
  • Bronchiolitis usually appears after the beginning (onset) of a cold (1-7 days) and may progress to rapid difficult breathing, wheezing, coughing and fever
  • illness will last up to several weeks, but the worst symptoms only last 3-4 days
  • cough and other symptoms gradually become better over 1-3 weeks.
  • acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, Tempra, etc.) as needed for fevers of 101.4 ( (rectal) or greater
  • when using nose drops, allow to remain in nostril 1 minute, then suction. You may repeat this until your child's breathing through the nose becomes quiet and easy.
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    Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
    • temperature of 100.4 (rectal) or greater for 48-72 hours or longer
    • moderate wheezing
    • child has a history of asthma
    • ear pain
    Yes No

    Contact Your Health Care Provider.

    Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
    • the treatment is mainly to ease symptoms:
    • keep child as quiet as possible until symptom-free
    • encourage fluid intake, but allow your child to eat as little or as much as desired
    • cool mist humidifier
    • elevate head of bed to promote drainage and rest
    • suction blocked nose with bulb syringe and use normal saline nose drops as needed
    • avoid smoke


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    Call Your Health Care Provider If:
    Your child does not get better, new symptoms appear, you are concerned in any way or you have questions.