Bronchiolitis

[Mumma2three]

It seems, (after a trip to hospital last night) that DS has bronchiolitis. The poor thing is coughing and wheezing all the time. To make matters worse DD2 has an extremely bad cough too. I am not coping well. It's been a month of illness in this house and a week of coughing. Just got worse for Ds last two days. I just feel like there's no way out of this thick fog. I am a worrier regardless and this is taking a toll. I am not sleeping and just feel so depressed. I am so worried about my babies, they dont seem to be getting any better. I am at the Dr/hosp daily as I have to watch out for other things.
Just wanted to get it out as I dont really have anyone to talk to about it, I dont want to burden my family with my worry.
thanks xxo

[Schmickers]

I sympathise, there is nothing worse than a baby with a blocked nose and a cough...

Hang in there, it does get better.

Lots of small, frequent feeds are the key, and watch them for difficulty breathing. Signs to look out for are having to bob their head when they breathe, flaring nostrils, and having to use the muscles between the ribs and under the rib cage to breathe.

Another thing to consider, with the coughing - has anyone tested for whooping cough? There is a lot of it around at the moment.

Hope things look up for you soon.

[Mumma2three]

Thanks schmickers!
I think enough people have heard the cough to think it's probably not whooping cough, but yes it definitely was going around here and scares me!! Will just keep an eye out, but they are not major coughing fits or anything, just a cough like he needs to clear his throat. I think WC you have lots of coughs.
Am doing lots of little feeds, at least he's been eating, that's the main thing! THanks for the other signs, will keep looking.
Feels like Im the only one up night after night with coughing kids, but I knkow Im not!
xo

[Mrs Jak]

Hi M23,

Hope DS is better soon.

DS hasn't been sick yet, but I am always telling DD to get out of his face, as I'm so paranoid of him catching something and she doesn't even have anything atm, just some hayfever.

My SIL has 3 kids and I know she is often in the same boat as you with the illness seeming to hang around and endless trips to the Dr's and sometimes hospital too.

I am a naturally anxious person, mostly when it's related to health issues and my babies! You're are certainly not on your own there and I know the anxiety and lack of sleep can be exhausting. Hang in there, I may need you when illness comes to our place

[AliBaby]

Hope your DS is better soon

I am not meaning to hijac but am wondering about the contagousness of bronchiolitis.

A friend of mines DD got this on Sunday confirmed with Doctor on Monday but wants to meet up with me on Friday. She said its not contagious but I am thinking that it is and I dont want my DD to get it and for her to then pass it on to other children.

Cna anyone tell me the contagous period with this?? TIA

[Mumma2three]

It really depends when it started. THe cough can last for weeks and in that case I dont think it's contagious. However, I wouldnt' want my child playing with someone with a bad cough. It's ok with DS for me because he's a bub and isn't interacting yet, but when they're interacting I'd be a bit weary.
With us DS cough started on the friday, and they say it is worse from day 3-5. THis morning would be day 7 for us and even though he slept without coughing last night, he woke in a coughing fit. I wont be going to mothers group today because of his illness.
So the typical path of bronchiolitis is worse day 3-5 and your friend would be on day 5. Also my son apparently has a mild case, and it's lasting, so i'd be extra careful if it was anything more than mild. I think my breastfeeding has helped. xoxo
PS just noticed your dd is very young. If they are kept separate it would be fine as babies dont mix anyway, but if they're on a mat together I wouldnt' take that risk. Also it depends what the cough sounds like. My DS could well be non contagiuos anymore, but the LOOKS I get with his cough is enough to keep me indoors!!

[Schmickers]

It's caused by the same virus that causes cold and flu. So, about as contagious as that.

If they still have symptoms, I'd be avoiding close contact and enforcing strict hand washing and hygeiene.

[danniellabella]

My DD gets bronchiloitis and recently got prescribed a ventolin puffer to be taken when she's wheezy or has a bad cough. She's had her cough all winter.

[csab]

When my bubba V was in hospital in ICU with Bronchoilitis/pneumonia she was in an isolation room where anyone nurses/DR's that entered the room had to wear masks and their surgical gowns so when they were treating another patient they werent passing anything on to them. It wasnt until about day 6 that she was removed from the isolation room and in with the other patients in ICU that were suffering bronchoilits as well, as they didnt believe she was at risk of passing anything onto any other patients.

[~clover~]

My DS has bronciolitis too. He was prescribed ventolin as well. & antibiotics.

I know how you feel. I have had at least one sick child through this whole winter. We've had glandular fever, tonsilitis, croup, flu's, tummy bugs, earaches & bronciolitis. The list goes on. DD2 is home again from day care after only about 3 days in the last 6 weeks or more.

they will get better. It will warm up soon & it'll be easier to keep them healthy. Vicks has really helped with DS's chest.

[Arcadia]

Another bub with bronchialitis here. i bought a vapouriser from the chemist and it has really helped. It is electric and releases steam and eucalyptus oil into the room...

I am sure there are other mummies out there as sleepless as us!!!

[*Beema*]

We have had two bouts of Bronchiolitis (first borderline, second 2 weeks ago requiring a trip to hospital) and before that we had two bouts of croup, and the "daycare cold", teething, moving house inbetween, and this week is was conjunctivits (nearly impossible to get that ointment into the eyes of a 13 months old! All since March and starting Day Care. So I can totally understand your pain, we are going into month 5!

I really hope they are on the improve very soon!

Take Care
xxoo

[Mumma2three]

Wow, theres' a few of us out there!! HOpe everyone is getting better!
DS still has a yukky cough. DOc said it will prob last about 2 weeks. HAs anyone else got the cough? It just sounds so awful...

[~clover~]

DS has a cough. It sounds bad, but its not often.
More Hope your getting some sleep now.

[Jakabella]

Yep Bella has that cough. We had her at the hospital for 5 hrs Friday night as I was concerned about her breathing. She is getting slightly better eveyday but the cough is horrible!

The doc put us both on anti b's so we dont give it back to one another.

Hope our bubs all get better asap!

I have also found tiliting Bellas cot mattress helps her sleep better - must drain some of the mucus from her nose so she can breath.

Kate

[*Beema*]

Wow, theres' a few of us out there!! HOpe everyone is getting better!
DS still has a yukky cough. DOc said it will prob last about 2 weeks. HAs anyone else got the cough? It just sounds so awful...

Still a cough here, but only overnight and first thing in the morning.

Antibiotics won't work for us as it is viral not bacterial

[black_rose]

Yep I know that cough, its awful. I have found that giving DD milk/formula makes it worse which is hard becasue she is off her food. We use a vaporiser and it makes a big difference, she aslo sleeps better during the day so we try and put her down for more naps.

[Mumma2three]

THanks guys. Yep, definitely worse in the night/morning. We cant have ab's either, as it's viral. The little man is a delight except for this damn cough, I just cant bear listening to it! And because DD is recovering from her illnesses, I dont like DS to make noise, so I've been grabbing him when he wakes and he sleeps with us. Means he nor I are getting much sleep.... makes it all a little more difficult. But then again I wouldn't want to leave him to resettle if he gets upset and cries and then coughs!! Vicious cycle!