Which specialist treats bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection affecting the small airways, most often in babies and young children. A clinician listens to the chest, checks breathing effort, hydration, alertness, and feeding, and considers the child’s age and medical history. Respiratory syncytial virus infection is one possible cause. Most care is supportive; a hospital team may provide oxygen, fluids, or nebuliser treatment when breathing or hydration needs closer support.

Arrange a child health consultation if your child is breathing faster than usual, feeding poorly, or becoming unusually tired. Offer smaller, more frequent feeds if advised, keep the child away from smoke, and check regularly, including during sleep. Use only medicines recommended for the child’s age and situation. Tell the clinician about wet nappies, fever, cough, wheezing, and how symptoms have changed.

Call emergency services if the child has pauses in breathing, severe chest pulling, grunting, blue or grey lips, is difficult to wake, or cannot feed because of breathlessness. Urgent assessment is also needed when wet nappies become much less frequent or breathing suddenly worsens.

Ask how hard your child is working to breathe, how much fluid is enough, and which changes mean hospital review. Check whether a nebuliser is appropriate and when the next assessment should take place.