Over 16,529,344 people are on fubar.
What are you waiting for?
Riley has bronchiolitis... which is listed below. and basically its one step away from RSV!
And we have to watch her fever which is down now but has been up to 103 degrees.!
We have to watch her breathing.. since she might have to do breathing treatments...and we hope that we avoid the hospital at all costs.
she has to stay away from others and kids. for atleast a week!!!!!! and people need to wash their hands b4 touching her.
uugh..
so anyhow i will keep you updated on her..
just pray that the RSV stays away.and that riley gets better soon.
---**********--------**********---------*********-
Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory tract caused by a respiratory infection that affects the tiny airways, called the bronchioles, that lead to the lungs. As these airways become inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making it difficult for a child to breathe.
The illness affects infants and young children most often because their small airways can become blocked more easily than those of older children or adults. Bronchiolitis typically occurs during the first 2 years of life, with the peak occurrence at about 3 to 6 months of age. It's more common in males, children who have not been breastfed, and children who live in crowded conditions. Day-care attendance and exposure to cigarette smoke can also increase the likelihood that an infant will develop bronchiolitis.
Although it's often a mild illness, some infants are at risk for a more severe disease that requires hospitalization. Conditions that increase the risk of severe infection include prematurity, prior chronic heart or lung disease, and a weakened immune system due to illness or medications. Children who have had bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma later in life, but it's unclear whether bronchiolitis causes or triggers asthma, or whether children who eventually go on to develop asthma were simply more prone to developing bronchiolitis as infants. Studies are being done to clarify the relationship between bronchiolitis and the later development of asthma.
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infections are responsible for more than half of all cases of the illness and are most widespread in the winter and early spring. Other viruses associated with bronchiolitis include influenza and adenovirus.
The first symptoms of bronchiolitis are usually the same as those of a common cold:
These symptoms last a day or 2 and are followed by worsening of the cough and the appearance of wheezes (high-pitched whistling noises when breathing out).
Sometimes more severe respiratory difficulties gradually develop, marked by:
The child may also have a fever, a poor appetite, and may vomit after coughing. Less commonly, young infants, especially those born prematurely, may have episodes where they briefly stop breathing (this is called apnea) before developing other symptoms.
In severe cases, symptoms may worsen quickly. A child with severe bronchiolitis may tire from the work of breathing and have poor air movement in and out of the lungs, due to the clogging of the small airways. The skin can turn blue (called cyanosis), which is especially noticeable in the lips and fingernails. The child can also become dehydrated from working harder to breathe, vomiting, and taking in less during feedings.
The infections that cause bronchiolitis are contagious. The germs can spread in tiny drops of fluid from an infected person's nose and mouth. These may become airborne when the person sneezes, coughs, or laughs, and they may also end up on things the person has touched, such as used tissues or toys.
Infants in child-care centers have a higher risk of contracting an infection that may lead to bronchiolitis because they're in close contact with lots of other young children.
The best way to prevent the spread of viruses that can cause bronchiolitis is frequent hand washing. It may help to keep infants away from others who have colds or coughs. Infants who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to develop more severe bronchiolitis, compared to babies from smoke-free homes. Therefore, it's important to avoid exposing children to cigarette smoke.
Although a vaccine for bronchiolitis has not yet been developed, there is a medication that can be given to lessen the severity of the disease. It consists of antibodies to RSV and is injected monthly during peak RSV season. The medication is recommended only for infants at high risk of severe disease, such as those born very prematurely or those with chronic lung disease.
The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) ranges from several days to 1 week, depending on the infection that leads to the bronchiolitis.
Cases of bronchiolitis typically last about 7 days, but children with severe cases can cough for weeks. The illness generally peaks on about the second to third day after the child starts coughing and having difficulty breathing and then gradually resolves.
Fortunately, most cases of bronchiolitis are mild and require no specific professional treatment. Antibiotics aren't useful for treating bronchiolitis because it's caused by a viral infection, and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. Medication may sometimes be given to help open a child's airways.
Infants who have trouble breathing should always be evaluated by a doctor. Infants who are moderately or severely ill may need to be hospitalized to be watched closely and to receive fluids and humidified oxygen. Rarely, in very severe cases, some babies are placed on respirators to help them breathe until they start to get better.
The best treatment for most children is time to recover and plenty of fluids. Making sure a child drinks enough fluids can be a tricky task, however, because infants with bronchiolitis may not feel like drinking. Therefore, the child should be offered fluids in small amounts at more frequent intervals than usual.
To make breathing easier, many parents use a cool-mist vaporizer during the winter months to keep the air in the child's room moist; dry winter air can dry out airways and make the mucus stickier. Avoid hot-water and steam humidifiers, which can be hazardous and can cause scalding. If you use a cool-mist humidifier, clean it daily with household bleach to discourage mold.
Sometimes, tilting the child's mattress up slightly may help decrease the work of breathing. Using a bulb syringe and saline (saltwater) nose drops can also help to keep a baby's nose clear. This can be especially helpful just before feeding and sleeping. Give acetaminophen to reduce fever and make the child more comfortable.
You should call your doctor if your child:
You should seek immediate help if you feel your child is having difficulty breathing and the cough, retractions, or wheezing are getting worse, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.
*********************************************
clik the link to know what rsv is if you dont know.
