Bronchiolite: When should I worry and take my baby to the emergency room?

This end of the year is far from rest for parents.While the fifth wave of the COVVI-19 epidemic is increasingly worried by the authorities, imposing a new health protocol in schools, another epidemic is also progressing dangerously: bronchiolitis.This respiratory viral infection specifically affects bronchioles (small bronchi) of babies and young children.

According to the latest epidemiological bulletin of public health France, published on December 1, cases of contamination increase.In the emergency room, a strong increase in consultations and hospitalizations in children under 2 years of age, at high levels, has been recorded.In detail, the report reveals that among the 5,098 children seen in the emergency room, 4,577 (90%) were under 1 year and 1,840 (36%) were hospitalized.

When should you take your child to the emergency room?

In case of bronchiolitis in a child, it is important to know how to react and when to consult a health professional.Health insurance advises to contact the SAMU without delay (15 or 112) or, if you can, quickly go to the emergency room if the toddler:

How to protect your baby?

Bronchiolitis is very contagious, especially during the winter season.To best protect your toddler, it is recommended that parents can wash their hands regularly and properly, with water and soap.Also, avoid taking your child in places where there are too many people, and in smoky places.This increases the risks of crossing enormous people, or spreading the virus.If you are enrolled, it is better to restrict the hugs as much as possible on the face of the little ones.

At home, remember to ventilate your living rooms every day and in particular the child's room.And of course, do not exchange bottles, teats or cutlery used within the family.