Management of acute bronchiolitis

Acute bronchiolitis is a very contagious disease, affecting infants and occ urring in epidemics. The management of this disease is the subject of heate d debates among various paediatric teams, as the medical attitude differs f rom one department to another, or even from one physician to another. The t reatment of acute bronchiolitis is essentially symptomatic and is based on hydration, oxygen therapy (if necessary) and respiratory physiotherapy No d rug class, particularly bronchodilators or corticosteroids, has been formal ly demonstrated to be effective, at the present time. However, in children with a personal and/or family history of atopy, or in children with severe respiratory distress, the prescription of beta 2-mimetic nebulization can b e proposed, but it does not appear logical to continue such treatment when it is ineffective. The time "gained" by the paramedical team will therefore allow closer surveillance of the child and a more reinforced dialogue with the parents, emphasizing the cause of symptoms and the value of symptomati c treatment in the management of their child.