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Page: Treatment
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There is no effective specific treatment for bronchiolitis. Therapy is principally supportive. Infants who are too short of breath to feed may require nasogastric or intravenous fluids. Oxygen may be required to maintain blood oxygen levels, and in severe cases the infant may need mechanical ventilation.
Ribavirin is an antiviral drug which has some effect in RSV infection, but it is reserved for infants with pre-existing lung, heart or immune disease. Antibiotics are often given in case of bacterial superinfection, but have no effect on the underlying viral infection.
Bronchodilator drugs such as salbutamol may be trialed for effectiveness in some older infants but is generally not used in infants under 6 months old.
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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