HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Bronchiolitis
Pekahau kakā
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection. It affects pēpi (babies) in their first year of life, usually in the winter. It is usually caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
If your pēpi has bronchiolitis, they may have a fever, runny nose and a cough, often with noisy breathing (wheeze).
Bronchiolitis is usually a mild illness. But some pēpi get sicker, with trouble breathing and feeding.
Bronchiolitis is very easy to catch. Ways to help protect your pēpi from catching it include:
- breastfeeding
- keeping your home smokefree
- making sure you and your whānau (family) have good hand hygiene.
There is no medicine to take that makes bronchiolitis better. Most pēpi who catch it can be cared for at home.
Getting help with bronchiolitis
Phone 111 and ask for an ambulance if your pēpi:
- has blue lips and tongue
- has severe breathing difficulty
- has irregular breathing or has pauses in breathing
- becomes very sleepy and you cannot easily wake them up
- is very pale
- is floppy.
Go to your general practice team or after-hours clinic if your pēpi:
- is under 3 months old
- is breathing fast, has noisy breathing and is having to use extra effort to breathe
- looks pale and unwell
- is taking less than half their normal feeds
- is vomiting
- has not had a wet nappy for more than 6 hours.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- KidsHealth – Bronchiolitis
More detailed information about bronchiolitis. Includes instructions for caring for your child at home.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2024.
SourcesReview key: HIUCB-33560
