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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffFor the first two or three days, the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold:
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Slight fever (may or may not occur)
After this, there may be two or three days of:
- Wheezing — breathing seems more difficult or noisy when breathing out
- Rapid or difficult breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
In otherwise healthy infants, the infection generally goes away by itself in seven to 10 days. If your child was born prematurely or has underlying health problems, such as a heart or lung condition or a weakened immune system, the infection may be more severe and your child may need to be hospitalized.
Severe bronchiolitis may cause your child to have difficulty breathing or develop bluish-looking skin (cyanosis) — a sign that he or she isn't getting enough oxygen. This requires emergency medical care.
When to see a doctor
If your child has more than minor breathing problems, is younger than 12 weeks old or has other risk factors for bronchiolitis — including premature birth or a heart-lung condition — contact your child's doctor.
If your child experiences any of the following signs and symptoms, seek prompt medical attention:
- Vomiting
- Breathing very fast — more than 40 breaths a minute — and shallowly
- Skin turning blue, especially around the lips and fingernails (cyanosis)
- Exhaustion from trying to breathe or the need to sit up in order to breathe
- Lethargy
- Refusal to drink enough fluids, or breathing too fast to eat or drink
