Is Bronchiolitis Contagious Among Children?

Posted on Mon, 21 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, my daughter is 9 weeks old and received her vaccinations on Friday. Yesterday I went to my sister in laws (with the baby) and after 10 min was told by another women there that her baby had a virus only other babies can get. She told someone else it was a cold so I'm assuming it's RSV. I left promptly but not before a cousin held my baby (and she had apparently already held the other baby). I only saw the other baby cough twice and he didn't look sick - so I'm hoping he was on the mend. I've read RSV is very contagious and can be dangerous. How likely is it that my daughter will catch it? Will the fact that she just received her 2 month vaccinations be helpful - because her immune system is working or will it be detrimental because it's fighting the fake viruses?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Patel (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Can understand your concerns.

RSV virus results in bronchiolitis in children and it's a disease in which the child has respiratory distress and ronchi.

I don't think that the other baby who has cough, had RSV infection. It's simply because of cold.

Don't worry, your child will not get infection from a single exposure to cough.

The vaccination given at 9 weeks doesn't offer protection against RSV. But don't worry, I don't think that the other baby had RSV infection.

I hope this will help you.
Wishing your child good health.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Patel (22 hours later)

If the baby had RSV and was recovering would he still be very contagious? How soon would my daughter develop symptoms?

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Deepak Patel (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.

RSV is contagious in recovery stage but prolonged contact is required for infection to occur.

Moreover, if the immunity of child is good, then child will not get infection.

Symptoms usually occur in 1 to 2 days of exposure.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng