Bronchiolitis (and RSV)

We are currently seeing cases of bronchiolitis, a viral illness (sometimes caused by RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus) that occurs most often in children under age 2. This virus typically occurs in epidemics during the winter and the early spring. When older children and adults get the viruses that cause bronchiolitis, it is often a mild cold. Keep in mind that your mild cold can make infants (and elderly) very sick.

"Bronchioles" are the smallest airways in our lungs, and "itis" means these airways are inflamed, or irritated, by the virus. When these airways get inflamed in young children, they often will start to "wheeze," meaning air and the oxygen in it have difficulty getting through these narrowed, swollen airways.

With a case of bronchiolitis, your infant's symptoms may begin with a runny nose, a fever, and a harsh, tight cough. If it progresses to wheezing, your child may start to breathe rapidly and "pull" with his/her abdomen and rib muscles with each breath. Home treatment involves putting saline in the nose and suctioning with a nasal aspirator (not a bulb syringe). If your baby is struggling to feed, is breathing more than 60 times in a minute routinely, or is sucking in ribs, they may be showing symptoms of bronchiolitis.

Please call us for an appointment or come to our walk in if your child's breathing becomes labored or difficult during office hours or go to a pediatric ER or Urgent Care after hours.

Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) is a monoclonal antibody with activity against RSV. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses. One dose of Beyfortus, administered as a single intramuscular injection prior to or during RSV season, may provide protection during the RSV season. Learn more about Beyfortus.