Indications for no treatment of acute bronchiolitis.

Acute bronchiolitis is a disease affecting infants and occurring by epidemi cs, due to its highly contagious nature. The increased number of visits and hospital admissions caused by bronchiolitis make it a real public health p roblem. Its management is a subject of passionate debate by various paediat ric teams. The treatment of acute bronchiolitis is essentially symptomatic and is based on hydration, oxygen therapy (when necessary) and respiratory physiotherapy. No drug class, particularly bronchodilators or corticosteroi ds, has yet been shown to be effective. However, in children with a persona l and/or family history of atopy, or in children presenting with severe res piratory distress, the prescription of a beta 2-mimetic nebulizer can be pr oposed, but it does not appear logical to continue such treatment when it i s ineffective.