How Can I Prevent My Child From Getting Bronchiolitis?
The primary way to prevent your child from becoming ill is to practice good hand washing, as the viruses that cause bronchiolitis are commonly transmitted from person to person via close contact with infected secretions on the hands. Infants who live in homes with exposure to cigarette smoke have been shown to have higher rates of bronchiolitis and are more likely to be hospitalized. Synagis (palivizumab), which is an injection that is given monthly during the winter, has been shown to decrease the likelihood of hospitalization in infants with severe prematurity, history of chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease. This should be discussed with your medical provider.
