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What parents need to know about Bronchiolitis and Bronchitis as infections have risen in under-4s

What parents need to know about Bronchiolitis and Bronchitis as infections have risen in under-4s

The number of children hospitalised for bronchiolitis/bronchitis has risen this winter. Here’s how to spot symptoms, and when to seek help.

Child coughs in background while parent dispenses cough medicine in the foreground

MadeForMums

Published: January 19, 2026 at 4:26 PM

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Bronchiolitis and bronchitis are both chest infections, but they are not the same thing. With data from the UK Health Security Agency showing rates are up in children under four (and especially in children under one year old), compared to before Christmas, many parents are understandably worried about coughs, wheezing and breathing problems this winter.

Knowing the difference between bronchiolitis and bronchitis and when to seek help can make a big difference, especially for babies and toddlers who are more vulnerable to complications.

Here's what parents need to know, based on NHS guidance.

Bronchiolitis vs. bronchitis

Although their names sound very similar, and they are both infections of the lungs, bronchitis and bronchiolitis are separate conditions.

What is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that mainly affects babies and young children under the age of two. It is usually caused by a viral infection from RSV (or respiratory syncytial virus).

The infection causes inflammation and blockage in the small airways of the lungs, which can make breathing harder for little ones.

While bronchiolitis is usually mild and can be managed at home, it can sometimes become serious, particularly in very young babies.

Almost all children will catch RSV at least once before their second birthday, but not all will develop bronchiolitis.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is inflammation of the larger airways in the lungs. Unlike bronchiolitis, it can affect people of all ages, including children and adults.

It is usually caused by an infection and often follows a cold or flu. It can also be caused by smoking and exposure to lung irritants. In most cases, bronchitis clears up on its own within around three weeks.

Some people get bronchitis very often, at which point it can become chronic.

Bronchiolitis symptoms to look out for

Early symptoms of bronchiolitis often look like a standard cold, which can make it hard for parents to spot at first. These include:

sneezing
a runny or blocked nose
a cough
a slightly high temperature of around 38C

As the infection develops, symptoms can become more noticeable. A child with bronchiolitis may also have:

breathing more quickly than usual
difficulty feeding or eating
noisy breathing, including wheezing
irritability

Symptoms are usually at their worst between days three and five. The cough often improves within three weeks.

Bronchitis symptoms in children

Bronchitis symptoms can be similar to a cold or flu and may include:

a cough that produces mucus (which can be clear, white, yellow, or green)
chest pain when coughing
shortness of breath
a sore throat
a runny nose
a high temperature

Most children with bronchitis will start to feel better within a few weeks without any specific treatment.

When should parents seek urgent help for bronchiolitis?

The NHS advises parents to trust their instincts. If your child seems seriously unwell, it is important to act quickly.
Call 999 or go to A&E if your child:

is having difficulty breathing, including grunting noises or their tummy sucking in under their ribs
has pauses in their breathing
has blue skin, lips or tongue
is floppy, very drowsy, or will not wake up or stay awake

When to contact your GP or NHS 111

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if:

your child has had a cold that is getting worse
they are feeding or eating much less than normal
they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or are showing other signs of dehydration
your baby is under three months with a temperature of 38C, or over three months with a temperature of 39C or higher
your child feels hotter than usual
your child is very tired or irritable

How bronchiolitis and bronchitis are treated

There is no specific treatment for bronchiolitis. It usually gets better on its own, although some children may need hospital care if symptoms are severe.

Parents can help at home by:

giving children’s paracetamol to babies over two months, or ibuprofen to babies over three months
using saline drops if a blocked nose is making breathing difficult
keeping your child upright when awake
encouraging regular fluids, with smaller, more frequent feeds for babies

Aspirin should never be given to children under 16.

Bronchitis usually clears up within three weeks. Rest, fluids and pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help ease symptoms. Antibiotics are only needed if a GP believes the infection is bacterial.

How to reduce the risk of your child catching it

Both bronchiolitis and bronchitis are spread through coughs and sneezes. The NHS recommends:

washing hands regularly
cleaning toys and surfaces often
avoiding sharing cups and cutlery
using disposable tissues and binning them straight away
keeping newborns away from people with colds or flu

It is especially important not to smoke around children. Breathing in cigarette smoke increases the risk of bronchiolitis.

RSV vaccination and higher-risk children

The RSV vaccine is available on the NHS from 28 weeks of pregnancy and helps protect babies during their first few months of life. It is also offered to adults aged 75 to 79.

Some children have a higher risk of severe bronchiolitis, including those born prematurely, those with heart or lung conditions, or a weakened immune system. These children may be offered preventative treatment during winter months.

If you are worried about your child’s breathing or symptoms, NHS advice is clear: trust your judgement and seek medical help.

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