Page 23 - Waterfall City Issue 2 February 2023

• Wearing a mask around young symptomatic. Some infants can be Discharge from hospital
children if one has the common cold treated at home with over-the-counter Infants are ready to be discharged
• Breastfeeding – breastfed babies have nasal sprays if they only present with a when the following has been achieved:
a lower risk of developing RSV blocked nose. However, if they develop • A normal respiratory rate
• Covering the mouth and nose when any further signs or symptoms, parents • The infant is feeding well
one coughs or sneezes should have their child seen by a • Oxygen is no longer needed
• Disinfecting surfaces with sanitiser doctor. • Fever has been resolved
• Not sharing utensils with someone
in the same household who has the Infants who are admitted to hospital Recurrence
common cold. often require care in an Intensive or Bronchiolitis can recur even if an infant
High Care unit, where their breathing was infected with RSV the previous year.
Infants at high risk of RSV, such as will be carefully monitored. They Infection with any virus that can cause
those born prematurely or with a heart are then put on different types of bronchiolitis does not confer immunity
or lung condition, and those with respiratory therapy, depending on the against the condition. Therefore, it
decreased immunity, may be given level of respiratory distress. The most is vital that prevention strategies are
appropriate medication to reduce the common form of respiratory therapy implemented in the home.
risk of contracting RSV infections and used for patients with bronchiolitis is a
bronchiolitis. high-flow nasal cannula. This therapy We also recommend an annual
has proven to decrease the need vaccination against the common cold
Management for ventilation while supporting the for adults who have high-risk infants
Treatment is almost always infant’s respiratory effort. at home.

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