Bronchiolitis: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:37, 20 August 2006

Revision as of 08:07, 30 August 2006

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==Treatment==

There is no effective specific treatment for bronchiolitis... Therapy is principally supportive. Infants who are too short of breath to feed may require nasogastric or intravenous fluids. Oxygen may be required to maintain blood oxygen levels, and in severe cases the infant may need mechanical ventilation.

[[Ribavirin]] is an antiviral drug which has some effect in RSV infection, but it is reserved for infants with pre-existing lung, heart or immune disease. Antibiotics are often given in case of bacterial superinfection, but have no effect on the underlying viral infection. [[Bronchodilator]] drugs may be effective in some older infants.

[[Bronchodilator]] drugs susch as salbutamol may be trialled for effectiveness in some older infants but is generally not used in infants < 6 months old.

==External links==