Bronchiolitis (say: "bronk-ee-oh-lie-tus") is a lung infection
that can be caused by several kinds of viruses. Young children,
particularly those between 3 months and 6 months old, get this
illness in the winter and the early spring. Most children are
sick for about a week to 10 days and then get well. At first,
the symptoms of bronchiolitis may resemble the symptoms of a
common cold. Your child will probably have a runny nose and a
slight fever for 2 to 3 days. Then your child may begin to
cough, breathe fast and wheeze (make a high-pitched whistling
sound when breathing) for another 2 or 3 days. Call your doctor
if: If your child's skin develops a bluish color, especially
around the lips or in the fingertips, it may be a sign that he
or she is not getting enough oxygen. Seek medical care or go to
the emergency room right away. There are some things you can do
when your child has bronchiolitis: Your doctor will check your
child for signs of dehydration (not enough liquids in his or her
body). Your doctor wil