Quick answer
What is bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection in babies under 12 months, usually caused by RSV. It causes cough, wheeze and breathlessness. Most babies recover at home within 2 to 3 weeks, but seek urgent help if your baby is struggling to breathe, not feeding, or has fewer wet nappies than usual.
What is bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that affects the tiny airways (bronchioles) in the lungs of babies and young children. It is usually caused by RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and is most common in winter. Most babies recover at home, though it can be frightening for parents because breathing and feeding are affected.
Who gets bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis mainly affects babies under 12 months, with peak severity around three to six months. Older children and adults who catch the same viruses usually get only a mild cold.
Symptoms
Symptoms often start like a cold — runny nose and cough — then may worsen over a few days:
- persistent cough
- breathlessness or wheezing
- fast breathing — you may see the tummy sucking in or nostrils flaring
- difficulty feeding — too breathless to suck for long
- fever
- irritability and poor sleep
Symptoms often peak around day three or four before slowly improving.
Caring for your baby at home
Most babies do not need hospital treatment:
- Smaller, frequent feeds — do not force large feeds if your baby is breathless.
- Upright position — can make breathing and feeding easier.
- Saline nose drops — help clear a blocked nose before feeds.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen — for fever if your baby is uncomfortable (follow age-appropriate dosing).
- Do not smoke near your baby — smoke worsens bronchiolitis.
There is no specific antiviral treatment routinely given at home.
When hospital care is needed
Some babies need hospital monitoring for oxygen levels, help with feeding through a tube, or intravenous fluids. This does not mean something went wrong — bronchiolitis can simply be more severe in some infants.
Preventing bronchiolitis
RSV vaccination for pregnant women and older adults helps protect vulnerable babies. Good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with unwell people, and not smoking around babies all reduce risk.
When to seek help
Trust your instincts. If your baby is struggling to breathe, not feeding adequately, or seems much more unwell than with a normal cold, contact NHS 111 or seek emergency help.
Common questions
- How long does bronchiolitis last?
- Symptoms often peak around day three or four, then gradually improve over two to three weeks. Cough can linger longer. If your baby is not improving after two weeks or is getting worse, seek advice.
- Can I treat bronchiolitis at home?
- Yes, most cases are managed at home with frequent smaller feeds, keeping your baby upright, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever if age-appropriate. Saline nose drops help a blocked nose. There is no routine medicine to cure bronchiolitis.
- Do babies with bronchiolitis need antibiotics?
- Usually not. Bronchiolitis is almost always viral. Antibiotics are only used if a doctor suspects a separate bacterial infection.
- Is bronchiolitis contagious?
- The viruses that cause bronchiolitis spread like colds. Keep sick babies away from other young infants where possible, and wash hands thoroughly.
- Will bronchiolitis damage my baby's lungs?
- Most babies recover completely. A small number may have wheeze with future colds, but serious long-term lung damage is uncommon in otherwise healthy babies.