children s health issues
Bronchiolitis
Treatment of Bronchiolitis
At home, fluids by mouth In the hospital, oxygen therapy and fluids by vein Most children can be treated at home with fluids and comfort measures. During the illness, frequent small feedings of clear fluids may be given. Increasing difficulty in breathing, bluish skin discoloration, fatigue, and dehydration indicate that the child should be hospitalized. Children who have congenital heart disease or lung disease or an impaired immune system may be hospitalized sooner and are far more likely to become quite ill from bronchiolitis. In the hospital, oxygen levels are monitored with a sensor attached to a finger or toe, and oxygen is given by an oxygen tent, nasal tube (cannula), or face mask (see Oxygen administration ). Rarely, a Fluids are given by vein if the child cannot drink adequately. Inhaled drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators) may be tried. Although these drugs relieve wheezing and airway narrowing caused by Asthma in Children , their effectiveness in treating bronchiolitis is questionable. Corticosteroids (to suppress inflammation) may be beneficial for some children. Doctors no longer use the antiviral drugribavirin(given by nebulizer) except for children whose immune system is extremely weak and whose infection is severe. Antibiotics are not helpful unless the child also has a bacterial infection. are two medications that contain antibodies against RSV. These medications are available in the United States for the Prevention in infants and young children. 