Every winter, bronchiolitis resurfaces, hitting toddlers hard. According to Public Health France, over this last week, “syndromic indicators linked to bronchiolitis increased in town and in hospital, to levels close to the previous season at the same period.”
Bronchiolitis alert: an earlier recovery this year
Between October 20 and 26, 2025, 1,498 visits to the emergency room for bronchiolitis were therefore recorded in children under one year old, compared to 10.2% the previous week, or 11.7% of visits in this age group. Among them, 468 infants were hospitalized, representing 21.5% of hospitalizations for those under one year old.
These figures mark the start of a winter wave slightly earlier, with an intensity comparable to that of last year.
Île-de-France on the front line of the epidemic
In its bulletin of October 29, Public Health France also specifies that “Île-de-France was in an epidemic this week”, while “Normandy remained in a pre-epidemic”. The rest of the territory remains at its basic level for the moment.
The main virus involved, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is the cause of the majority of bronchiolitis. Analyzes show that its detection rate remains low but increasing, both in the city and in hospitals. Other viruses, such as rhinoviruses, are also contributing to the increase in cases.
Health authorities point out that this infection, generally benign, can however become complicated in the youngest or fragile infants, justifying close monitoring in pediatric homes and wards.
Recognizing early symptoms in infants
Bronchiolitis often begins as a common cold. A runny nose, watery eyes and a slight fever are the first signs. Gradually, a dry cough appears, followed by difficulty breathing. The breathing rate accelerates, sometimes accompanied by a whistling sound when exhaling. The child may then eat less and sleep poorly.
Although these symptoms are impressive, they are most often not serious and disappear in 5 to 10 days, according to doctors. A residual cough may persist for up to two weeks.
What to do at home? The right actions to relieve your baby
Treatment of bronchiolitis is essentially symptomatic. Washing the nose remains the most effective measure: using pods of physiological serum several times a day helps clear the respiratory tract and prevents mucus from descending into the bronchi.
To help the child breathe better, it is advisable to:
- Maintain a humid environment (for example after a bath);
- Hold the baby upright when awake;
- Lighten your clothing in case of fever and give paracetamol according to weight.
- Finally, split meals and offer frequent drinks, even in small quantities, to avoid dehydration.
Remember that respiratory physiotherapy has no longer been recommended since 2019 during a first episode, because it has proven to be ineffective and tiring for infants.
When should you consult? Signs of seriousness to watch out for
However, certain signs require rapid medical consultation:
- Breathing difficulty with hollowing between the ribs or fluttering of the wings of the nose;
- Unusual fatigue, loss of tone or persistent crying;
- A reduced diet (less than half the usual amounts);
- A high or poorly tolerated fever.
In the event of more worrying symptoms – breathing pauses, drowsiness, blue lips or total refusal to eat – you must call 15 immediately. These signals may indicate respiratory distress requiring urgent attention.
Preventing bronchiolitis: vaccination as a shield
Since September 1, 2025, a new prevention campaign has been launched to curb the spread of RSV. Two strategies are now available:
- Maternal vaccination with the Abrysvo vaccine (Pfizer), administered in the 8th month of pregnancy, which protects the infant from birth;
- Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies (Beyfortus, Sanofi-AstraZeneca), intended for newborns whose mother has not been vaccinated.
The protection offered lasts approximately five months, covering the entire winter period. According to an international study published in The Lancet last May, Beyfortus would reduce serious forms in infants by more than 80%.
At the same time, Public Health France recalls the importance of simple actions: putting on a mask at the first symptoms, washing your hands regularly and ventilating rooms several times a day.
These reflexes, already anchored since the Covid-19 pandemic, remain the best allies to avoid contamination of the youngest and limit the saturation of pediatric emergencies.