Respiratory
Medicines for Bronchiolitis
A common viral chest infection in babies and young children that causes a cough, wheeze and breathing difficulty — usually mild and managed at home, but sometimes needing hospital care.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a common viral infection of the smallest airways (bronchioles) in babies and young children, most often caused by RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It usually starts like a cold, then develops into a cough, wheeze, rapid or laboured breathing, and feeding difficulties.
- How it is treated: Most children with bronchiolitis are cared for at home, as it is a viral illness that antibiotics do not help.
- Self-care: At home, offer regular small feeds, keep the child upright when feeding, avoid smoke exposure, and use saline nose drops if a blocked nose affects feeding.
- When to seek help: Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby has severe difficulty breathing, long pauses in breathing, goes blue, is very hard to wake, or is very pale and floppy.
What it is
Bronchiolitis is a common viral infection of the smallest airways (bronchioles) in babies and young children, most often caused by RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It usually starts like a cold, then develops into a cough, wheeze, rapid or laboured breathing, and feeding difficulties. Most cases are mild and get better on their own within one to two weeks, but some babies — particularly those very young, born prematurely, or with heart or lung conditions — can become more unwell and need hospital care. It is very common in the winter months and spreads easily.
How it is treated
Most children with bronchiolitis are cared for at home, as it is a viral illness that antibiotics do not help. The focus is on supportive care: keeping the child comfortable, offering smaller, more frequent feeds to maintain fluids, and watching for signs of worsening breathing or dehydration. Children who are struggling to breathe or feed, or whose oxygen levels drop, may need hospital care for help with feeding, fluids or oxygen. Knowing the warning signs is the most important part of safe home management.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Bronchiolitis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
At home, offer regular small feeds, keep the child upright when feeding, avoid smoke exposure, and use saline nose drops if a blocked nose affects feeding. Good hand hygiene reduces spread within the family.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby has severe difficulty breathing, long pauses in breathing, goes blue, is very hard to wake, or is very pale and floppy. Seek urgent advice (NHS 111) if they are feeding much less, have far fewer wet nappies, or their breathing is getting harder.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Bronchiolitis: frequently asked questions
Do antibiotics help bronchiolitis?
No. Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not help. Treatment is supportive — keeping the child comfortable, feeding and hydrated, and watching for warning signs.
When does bronchiolitis need hospital care?
If a baby is working hard to breathe, feeding much less, having fewer wet nappies, or their oxygen levels drop. Severe breathing difficulty, pauses in breathing or going blue are emergencies — call 999.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE NG9 — Bronchiolitis in children
- NHS — Bronchiolitis
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