Bronchiolitis diagnosis

Your provider is always the best person to see if you think your child might have bronchiolitis. They will be able to make a diagnosis^[18] of bronchiolitis based on your child’s medical history, signs and symptoms, and a physical examination. In some cases, a healthcare provider may be able to identify what illness your child has by observing them and listening to their lungs with a stethoscope. However, because bronchiolitis symptoms are similar to those of the cold or flu, you may need to make more than one visit for an accurate diagnosis. Laboratory tests and X-rays are usually not needed to diagnose bronchiolitis. However, if your child is at risk of severe bronchiolitis, if symptoms worsen, or if you suspect that your child might have another problem, your provider may order further testing^[19], including:

• Chest X-ray: The images taken by a chest X-ray can help your provider look for signs of pneumonia.
• Viral testing: A mucus sample from your child’s nose may be tested for the presence of a virus.
• Blood tests: In some cases, providers may request a blood test to check your child’s white blood count. An elevated white blood cell count may mean that your child is fighting off an infection. Blood tests can also indicate a decrease in blood oxygen levels.

Since dehydration is one of the signs of bronchiolitis, your provider may ask whether your child has been refusing to drink or eat. Other signs that your child may be dehydrated include dry mouth or skin, little to no urination, sunken eyes, and sluggishness.

Bronchiolitis in children (bronchiolitis baby)

Babies’ lungs and immune systems are not yet sufficiently developed to deal with infections. For this reason, bronchiolitis in children younger than 3 months of age needs significant attention^[20]. Make sure you know your baby’s normal breathing rate in order to identify whether it has become abnormally fast.

Factors that increase the risk of bronchiolitis in babies

• Premature birth
• An underlying heart or lung condition
• A depressed immune system
• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Never having been breastfed
• Being in contact with many people, such as in a child care environment
• Having siblings who go to child care or school and who might bring an infection home

Bronchiolitis and asthma

Babies who have to be hospitalized for bronchiolitis^[21] have an increased risk of developing asthma later on in life. They may also experience reduced lung function and increased sensitivity to stimuli in the airway. The association between bronchiolitis and asthma development is complex; it may be related to genetic, structural, immunological, inflammatory, and environmental factors.