Bronchiolitis treatment

Viral bronchiolitis requires different treatments than bronchiolitis obliterans.

Treatments for viral bronchiolitis

Many cases of viral bronchiolitis are mild and clear up without treatment. For more severe cases in infants, hospitalization may be necessary. A hospital can provide oxygen and intravenous fluid treatments. Antibiotic medications don’t work against viruses, but some medications can help open your baby’s airways.

Treatments for bronchiolitis obliterans

There’s currently no cure for the scarring of bronchiolitis obliterans. Treatment options include:

• Corticosteroids can help clear the lungs of mucus, reduce inflammation, and open up the airways.
• You may need oxygen treatments and immunosuppressant medications to regulate your immune system.
• Breathing exercises and stress reduction can help ease breathing difficulties.
• Sometimes, a lung transplant may be the best option in the most severe cases.

Home care

Recovery from both conditions requires extra rest and increased fluid intake. Keeping the air in your home clear of smoke and chemicals is very important. A humidifier to keep the air moist may also help.

Can you prevent bronchiolitis?

The best way to prevent viral bronchiolitis is to minimize contact with viruses that causes the illness. Inhaling smoke can also put your child at an elevated risk of respiratory infections.

Here are ways to minimize the chances of your child developing bronchiolitis:

• Keep them away from people who are sick with infectious diseases, especially when your child is younger than 2 months.
• Regularly disinfect surfaces and toys your child often comes into contact with.
• Fully wash and dry your child’s utensils.
• Wash your child’s hands frequently, especially before and after feeding and after they touch their nose or mouth.
• Keep your child away from secondhand smoke.

The cause of bronchiolitis obliterans isn’t always known, but avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals in the air and taking steps to avoid respiratory illness like washing your hands regularly and avoiding people who are sick may help reduce your chances of developing it.

How long does bronchiolitis last?

Children and babies with mild viral bronchiolitis usually recover within 2 to 3 weeks with prompt, proper treatment. More serious cases of bronchiolitis may require hospitalization.

The outlook for someone with bronchiolitis obliterans depends on when the condition was diagnosed and how far it has progressed. But treatment can help manage symptoms.