Bronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles), usually due to a viral infection. (Google Health)
(img from kidshealth.org)
Although bronchiolitis isn't life threatening, we've had some scary moments with Malachi this week. What started out as a cold/flu virus has created so much mucous in his lungs and sinuses he has had a pretty hard time breathing. When we went to the doctors she had him do a breathing treatment there because she couldn't hear through the mucous to tell if he had pneumonia or not. While he didn't like the breathing treatment it really opened up his lungs, he actually fell asleep before it was over! Unfortunately, after wards you could hear all the wheezing that was going on in his lungs. It was very sad to hear him struggle to breath like that.
So, now he is on antibiotics, oral steroids, and home breathing treatments. Yesterday after coming home from the doctors he had a coughing episode that made him throw up. He was covered in vomit (literally, there was not a dry spot on his sleeper). He was coughing so hard he started to turn bluish. I flipped him over in the infant CPR hold and noticed thick mucous coming out of his nose and mouth. I was able to actually hold onto this mucous and pull it out of his mouth. I was almost ready to call 911 when he started recovering. He was shaking a bit and his lips were quivering. I had to give him a bath after that and then laid him down for a nap. He slept for 3 hours! Since then he has been very happy and hasn't had a single coughing episode.
Our hope is that he will just keep getting better. We'll have to keep an eye on him. Please keep my little man #2 in your prayers.
