three-day MEDICAL TREATMENT tar 1П SOme areas bronchiolitis is the most common reason for hospi j lzinS infants. An infant with bronchiolitis may require oxygen or ravenous fluids. A chest xray examination, nose and throat cul es, and blood studies may be ordered. Antibiotics are of no use attack86 thCy are n0t effective in treating viruses. If a child has repeated deter °nchiolitis' one injection of epinephrine may be given to sym "lme if the child has an allergy; if the epinephrine relieves the Pcoms, it is likely that the attacks are caused by an allergy. TOPICS: Asthma; Bronchitis; Common cold; Coughs; Defection' Frequent illnesses; Pneumonia; Shortness of breath; Viral Quick Reference Bronchitis SYMPTOMS • Dry, hacking cough • Fever • Tightness and pain in center of chest • Loss of appetite • General weakness and discomfort • Rattling sound to breathing HOME CARE • The child should rest during the fever stage and the period when the cough is the worst • Give acetaminophen for aches and fever. • Phenylephrine or oxymetazoline nose drops may be used. • A humidifier or vaporizer will make breathing easier. • Give your child extra liquids. PRECAUTIONS • If there is pain on the side of the chest, see your doctor. • If there is blood in the discharge coughed up, see your doctor.? Bronchitis may be thought of as a cold that spreads to the trachea (windpipe) and to the bronchi (the air passages leading into the lungs) It may start with the signs of a common cold-nasal congestion and discharge, sneezing, watery eyes, and scratchy throat-but it may also develop without the appearance of any cold symptoms. Most cases of bronchitis are caused by viruses. These germs cannot be combated with antibiotics. Bronchitis is contagious and is passed on in the same manner as a cold. If the disease occurs frequently the child may have an underlying allergy. (Sometimes children" with asthma tend to have repeated attacks of bronchitis.) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Bronchitis The major symptoms of bronchitis are a dry, hacking cough a low grade fever (100T oral, 101°F rectal) or no fever: and tightness and pain in the center of the chest. Often the child experiences a loss of appetite and feels generally weak and uncomfortable. After a few days the cough loosens. Occasionally, a rattling sound can be heard in the chest when the child takes a breath, but there is never any real difficulty in breathing (except that caused by nasal congestion) The entire illness may last about a week. Normal Normal mucous membrane. Swollen mucous membrane with excessive mucous secretions airpSaqes trLmUC°T membranes that line the bronchial tubes (the Tc S lUniSl SWeU and secrete more rnucus lu 9s. У cl°99ing oj the bronchial tubes and reduced airflow into the There is rarely high fever or prostration (extreme exhaustion or collapse). There is never pain on the side of the chest. No blood appears in the sputum (discharge coughed up out of the lungs). fever