As bronchiolitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not be effective in fighting it as they are used to treat bacterial infections. That being said, pneumonia or ear infections can occur in conjunction with bronchiolitis, so your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat those as they are infections. For the most part, treatment involves keeping the infected child at home and monitoring them for additional or worsening symptoms while they rest. A case of bronchiolitis will typically last for two to three weeks and clear up on its own in that time. A nebulized albuterol treatment can be tried in extreme cases and may prove to be effective in easing some symptoms. In rare cases a child may need to be hospitalized for treatment such as receiving oxygen in order to supply sufficient oxygen to the blood or an IV to keep the child from getting dehydrated. For severe cases, the child could have a tube inserted into their trachea in order to help with breathing. KidsHealth Pediatrics is here for you and your family, and we help treat bronchiolitis. Reach out to us today to book an appointment and to learn more about our wide range of medical services. We serve patients from Glendale AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Tempe AZ, Mesa AZ, Paradise Valley AZ, and Phoenix AZ.