Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You brought your child to the ED for bronchiolitis. This is an infection that affects a part of the lungs called the "bronchioles." The bronchioles are the small, branching tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When these tubes are infected, they get swollen and full of mucus. This makes it hard to breathe.
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by "respiratory syncytial virus" ("RSV"). This means antibiotics will not help.
Bronchiolitis usually begins like a regular cold. But your child might later have wheezing, a very bad cough, and trouble breathing. They might also have trouble eating and drinking. Their cough might last for 2 or more weeks.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Keep your child away from smoke and smoke-filled places. Avoid things that can cause breathing problems, like fumes, pollution, dust, and other common allergens.
●To help your child feel better:
•Offer them lots of liquids. If they are older than 1 year, give them warm, clear liquids to soothe their throat and help loosen mucus.
•Use a humidifier in the room where they sleep.
•Use saline nose drops to relieve stuffiness. Remove mucus from their nose with a suction bulb or other device meant for this.
•Prop your child's head up on pillows if they are over 1 year old. (Do not use pillows for a baby younger than 1 year.)
•If your child is uncomfortable because of fever, you can give them over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). Read the instructions carefully. Never give aspirin a child younger than 18 years old.
●Wash your and your child's hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection to others.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if your child:
•Stops breathing
•Has blue or gray lips, gums, or fingernails
•Has a very hard time breathing
•Starts grunting
•Looks like they are getting tired from working so hard to breathe
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child is working hard to breathe. You might see skin pulling in between their ribs, below their rib cage, or above their collarbones.
•Your child's nostrils open wide when they breathe.
•Your child cannot keep any fluids down, has not had anything to drink in many hours, and has 1 or more of the following:
-Your child is not as alert as usual, is very sleepy, or is much less active.
-Your child is crying all the time.
-Your infant has not had a wet diaper for over 8 hours.
-Your older child has not urinated in over 12 hours.
-Your child's skin is cool.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child's breathing problems get worse.
●Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●Your child's cough lasts longer than 3 weeks.
●Your child is having trouble eating normally.
●Your child has a dry mouth.
●Your child has few or no tears when they cry.
●Your child's urine is dark.
●Your child is less active than normal.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Bronchiolitis and RSV in babies and children (The Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiolitis and RSV in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)
