The illness that fills infant wards during the winter months: bronchiolitis. Most often caused by RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), this condition blocks the tiniest airways (the bronchioles) of babies under 2 years of age.

Course: Recognize It in 3 Stages

  1. First 2 days: Like a simple cold — runny nose, mild fever, cough
  2. Days 3-5 (critical period): Wheezing, rapid breathing, drawing-in between the ribs, reduced feeding
  3. Afterwards: Slow recovery; the cough may last for weeks

What to Watch For While Monitoring at Home

  • Breathing rate: Count for 1 minute while the baby is calm. Faster than 60/min under 2 months, and faster than 50/min between 2-12 months, is too fast.
  • Retractions: The spaces between the ribs and the area below the breastbone sinking inward with each breath
  • Feeding: It is risky if the baby is taking less than half of the normal amount
  • Nappy count: A drop in wet nappies is a sign of dehydration

Home Care

  • Frequent nasal cleaning (saline + aspirator) — always before feeding
  • Small, frequent feedings
  • Control high fever if present (guide)
  • ❌ Cough syrup, ❌ adding medication to the steam machine, ❌ antibiotics (it is viral)

Situations That Require Hospital Care

Bluish discoloration • stopping of breathing (apnea) • rapid breathing with marked retractions • inability to feed/dehydration • wheezing in a baby younger than 3 months or born prematurely → seek care without losing any time.

In some babies who have had bronchiolitis, recurrent wheezing and asthma may develop later on; follow-up is important.