How can I prevent bronchiolitis?

There are simple things you can do to reduce the risk of your child getting bronchiolitis, such as: 

• wash your hands and your child’s hands regularly
• clean the surfaces in your home and your child’s toys regularly
• use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you or your child have used them. You could also cough and sneeze into the bend of your elbow 
• keep newborn babies away from anybody with cold or flu symptoms, especially if they’re under two months or old or were born prematurely.

Do not smoke, or let other people smoke, around your child. Passive smoking increases the risk of your child getting bronchiolitis. Read more about how passive smoking and vaping affects your child’s lungs.

Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus, usually the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

If you’re pregnant, you can get a free RSV vaccine from the NHS around the time of your 28 week antenatal scan. RSV vaccines reduce the risk of your baby getting severe bronchiolitis in the first six months of their life.

Find out more about RSV vaccines.