How to spot virus which affects babies, and when you need to take them to hospital

NHS bosses in Greater Manchester have issued advice on how to spot symptoms of a virus that affects babies - and when to take them to hospital.

The guidance on how to spot the signs of bronchiolitis has been issued amid a rise in cases in our region, with locals GPs and hospital seeing an increase in infants and young children with the viral infection. The common infection affects one in three children under two, and is more widespread during the winter months.

According to the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, bronchiolitis symptoms are like a cold at first - with signs including a runny nose and cough. But they then develop with symptoms including a fever, dry persistent cough, taking a long time to feed, dry nappies and wheezing.

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The infection usually clears within two weeks and can be treated at home with fluids and infant paracetamol. But some babies who are more at risk may need to go to hospital.

Pregnant women can also help protect their unborn babies by getting the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine at over 28 weeks. Professor Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board said: "Bronchiolitis is on the rise, so we hope that by making people aware of the virus that mothers-to-be, parents, carers, family and friends will know what to look out for and when is the right time to seek medical help.

"We also hope it will provide reassurance that it is a common illness that, in most cases, is relatively easy to treat at home without any need for concern. By knowing the symptoms, treatment and simple ways to prevent it – it will help keep the youngest members of the family well, stop the virus spreading and provide you with peace of mind."

Below is the full advice on how to reduce the chances of babies and children getting the infection, the full list of symptoms, how to treat the infection and when to take your baby to hospital.

How to help reduce the chances of young children getting or spreading bronchiolitis

• Everyone washing their hands before cuddling or passing something to the baby or child
• This is even more important if anyone has a cold in the house, and regularly washing the baby’s own hands
• Wiping toys, doors, handles and surfaces around the house frequently
• Keeping children who are poorly at home until their symptoms ease
• Keeping newborn babies away from people with colds or flu
• Putting tissues in the bin straight away

Full list of symptoms to look out for

At the start symptoms are like a cold and include a runny nose and cough. Other symptoms include:

• A fever or hot to touch
• A dry, persistent cough
• Taking a long time to feed/ too tired to feed
• Dry nappies
• Wheezing (rasping noise when breathing)

How to treat bronchiolitis

More often than not bronchiolitis is treated at home by:

• Giving fluids little and often (very young babies tend to become breathless after a large feed)
• Keeping a baby cool and in a well-aired room
• Giving infant paracetamol (like Calpol) or Ibuprofen to bring down a temperature. Ibuprofen should be avoided if your child is not drinking enough

When to get same-day medical help

Make same day contact with 111 or your GP if the young child:

• Is feeding less than half their normal intake
• Is paler than normal
• Is producing less than two wet nappies a day
• Has a high temperature, 38.5 degrees or above, or above 38 degrees if under three months

When to get urgent medical help

Get urgent help from 999 or going to A&E if your child:

• Has blueish lips
• Is unresponsive
• Is very irritable
• Is working harder to breathe
• Displays long pauses in breathing (over 10 seconds) – take a video of your baby breathing to show healthcare professionals

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