Maddox: Bronchiolitis Diagnosis

So, Maddox had - what we thought was - a bad cold, since Sunday night. Tuesday evening we started to notice that he was having trouble breathing. So, Wednesday Mimi decided Maddox needed to go to the doctor. It turned out that he didn't have a common cold, but he has bronchiolitis! My first question to the doctor was, "What is the difference between bronchitis and bronchiolitis?"

Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchi (airways) within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or other causes. Infants usually get bronchiolitis, which involves the smaller airways and causes symptoms similar to asthma. Bronchiolitis: Inflammation of the bronchioles, the airways that extend beyond the bronchi and terminate in the alveoli. Bronchiolitis is largely a disease of infancy. It starts as a mild upper respiratory infection and then worsens. There is increasing respiratory distress and wheezing.

So, the doctor prescribed Albuterol (liquid form) to Maddox to take 3 times a day for 4-5 days. He hasn't been running a temp any higher than 100. His cough has gotten a lot better already. His nose is still a little runny (and he HATES the suction thing). He is very pitiful. Seems to want Mommy all the time. He slept better last night than he has all week, but he's still waking up frequently. I can tell he is feeling a lot better today. He is playing more, and his appetite seems to be coming back a bit. Before today, he was only drinking formula and not interested in much else. I think the most concerning thing to me is that 1/2 of all babies who get bronchiolitis struggle with asthma later. Let's hope he's in the other 1/2 that never have to worry about that!! I'll keep everyone posted.

Here are a few pictures we took this evening. You can tell in his eyes he is just not feeling well. He is a trooper, though. Keep him in your prayers!