What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?

Symptoms often begin like a cold, with a blocked or runny nose and mild fever. Over the next few days, inflammation and mucus in the small airways can make breathing noisier. You may notice a persistent cough, wheeze, rapid breathing, nostril widening or the skin pulling in between the ribs. A baby may feed more slowly, take frequent pauses, or have fewer wet nappies because breathing makes feeding tiring. Some children are sleepier than usual. Bronchiolitis is commonly linked with respiratory syncytial virus infection, but several viruses can cause it.

Keep your child upright while awake, offer smaller feeds more often, and clear nasal mucus gently before feeds. Avoid tobacco smoke around the child. A child health consultation can check breathing, hydration and oxygen levels; treatment is usually supportive, while a nebuliser is not suitable for every child.

Seek urgent medical help if your child is struggling to breathe, has pauses in breathing, blue or grey lips, marked chest pulling-in, is difficult to wake, or cannot keep fluids down. Arrange prompt assessment when feeds are much smaller than usual, wet nappies decrease, or breathing is becoming faster. Babies who are very young or have heart, lung or immune problems may need earlier review.

Ask which breathing changes need emergency help, how to judge hydration, and whether your child needs monitoring or review if symptoms worsen overnight.