What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis in babies?
Bronchiolitis typically starts like a common cold before descending into the chest over 2 to 3 days.
- Starts with runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and nasal congestion
- Progresses to a persistent, dry, raspy cough by day 2 or 3
- Audible musical wheezing or whistling sound when exhaling
- Fast breathing rate with flared nostrils
- Chest retractions: skin sucking in under the ribs or at the base of the neck
- Baby tiring quickly during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding due to breathlessness
Warning signs: go to hospital at once
Emergency warning signs requiring immediate paediatrician evaluation.
- Breathing rate exceeding 60 breaths per minute in infants
- Severe chest indrawing where ribs and belly pull inward deeply
- Pauses in breathing lasting longer than 10 seconds (apnoea)
- Bluish or pale tint around the lips, tongue, or nail beds
- Baby drinking less than half their usual milk volume over 24 hours
- Extreme exhaustion, weak cry, or baby becoming floppy and unresponsive
Call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The 3 phases of bronchiolitis in babies
Upper Respiratory
Runny nose and mild fever. Nasal saline drops and gentle clearing keep airways open.
Peak Chest Phase
Wheezing and fast breathing peak. Oxygen monitoring and frequent small feeds are crucial.
Gradual Recovery
Breathing rate slows and feeding improves. A mild residual cough may linger for 2 weeks.
Which test shows bronchiolitis in babies?
In-clinic non-invasive checks to evaluate infant respiratory health.
| Test | Best time | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) | Immediate | Measures blood oxygen saturation levels in infants without needles |
| Paediatric Respiratory Rate Count | In clinic | Evaluates exact breath count per minute against age-specific thresholds |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Within 45 mins | Rules out secondary bacterial pneumonia if fever spikes or worsens |
How is bronchiolitis in babies treated?
Care focuses on keeping oxygen levels safe, maintaining hydration, clearing nasal passages, and close monitoring.
At Nareddy Care
- Specialized infant respiratory examination by Dr. Bramhini Nareddy
- Medical grade nebulisation with saline or bronchodilators in our day-care room
- Continuous pulse oximeter oxygen monitoring
- Gentle suctioning of thick nasal secretions
- Direct guidance on when home care is safe and when hospital admission is needed
Do at home
- Offer small breastfeeds or bottle feeds frequently (every 1.5–2 hours) to avoid tiring baby
- Use normal saline nasal drops before every feed to clear blocked nostrils
- Keep baby in a slightly elevated, upright position during and after feeds
- Keep the home completely smoke-free; avoid mosquito coils, agarbatti, and cigarette smoke
Avoid
- Giving over-the-counter cough syrups, decongestants, or cold drops to babies
- Using steam inhalers directly near an infant's face, which risks severe burn injuries
- Giving oral antibiotics for uncomplicated bronchiolitis; antibiotics do not kill RSV virus
- Waiting at home if your baby breathes very fast or ribs suck inward
How to prevent bronchiolitis in babies
Frequent handwashing before handling infants, keeping babies away from family members with colds, strict smoke-free environment (no incense or mosquito coils), and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months.
Questions people ask
Why shouldn't babies with bronchiolitis receive antibiotics?
Bronchiolitis is caused by viruses like RSV, which are not affected by antibiotics. Overusing antibiotics causes stomach upset and antibiotic resistance without helping the baby's lungs.
How long does bronchiolitis last?
The most difficult breathing phase lasts 3 to 5 days. After day 5, wheezing and fast breathing ease, though a mild loose cough can normally linger for up to 2 to 3 weeks.
Can my baby get nebulised at Nareddy Care Hospitals?
Yes. Our paediatric day-care unit is equipped with medical nebulisers, child-size masks, and oxygen support, open daily until 10 pm.
Adults seeDr. Vishnu Anjan NareddyMD (General Medicine)Children seeDr. Bramhini NareddyMD (Paediatrics)