Serious coughs: Bronchiolitis

The following serious illnesses associated with coughing require immediate medical treatment.

Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest air passages leading from bronchi to the alveoli of the lungs. Children under two years are most at risk, and bronchiolitis usually occurs in epidemics mostly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Identifying the cough

• Dry, rasping cough, wheezing, rapid breathing and shortness of breath are the main symptoms, following cold and flu symptoms.
• Apnoea (interruptions in breathing), blue tinging and abnormal drowsiness must be watched for, and are serious symptoms.

Treatment is supportive and depends on the symptoms. It may include medication to dilate the airways, intravenous infusion, oxygen or ventilation. While there’s unlikely to be lasting damage to lung tissue, bronchiolitis mostly precedes recurrent chest infections and wheezing in the cold seasons of the early years.

Serious coughs: Pneumonia

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