What should you know about bronchiolitis after COVID-19?

Bronchiolitis is inflammation and mucus in the smallest breathing tubes, usually in babies and young children. After a viral illness such as COVID-19, a child may cough, breathe noisily, wheeze, feed less or have a fever. Symptoms can change over hours, and a blocked nose can make feeding and breathing harder. COVID-19 is one possible viral trigger; another illness can cause similar signs.

Offer small, frequent feeds and keep the child comfortably upright while awake. Use saline nose drops if advised and watch wet nappies or toilet trips, alertness and feeding. Do not give cough medicines or antibiotics unless prescribed. A clinician can assess breathing, hydration and oxygen levels; a child health consultation may be appropriate. Nebuliser treatment is not suitable for every child and should be used only when directed. Learn more about Bronchiolitis, Cough, Fever, Wheezing, Nebuliser Treatment and Child Health Consultation.

Get same-day medical advice if the child is feeding much less, has fewer wet nappies, becomes unusually sleepy, or is breathing faster or harder than usual. Seek emergency help for pauses in breathing, blue or grey lips, severe chest pulling-in, grunting, inability to drink, or difficulty waking the child. Trust a clear change in your child’s behaviour even when the temperature is not high.

Ask how to count breaths, which feeding changes matter, and how to recognise dehydration. Clarify whether your child needs monitoring, how to use any prescribed treatment, when to return, and which emergency service to contact if breathing suddenly worsens.