Post by Kelebogile Makola

Recently, I presented on bronchiolitis, with a focus on differentiating it from bronchopneumonia and bronchiolitis with superimposed bronchopneumonia, using the South African Paediatric Standard Treatment Guidelines as a guide. A key learning point was understanding when antibiotics are truly indicated. Uncomplicated bronchiolitis is a viral illness and should be managed with supportive care only, while antibiotics should be reserved for cases where there is clear clinical or investigative evidence of bacterial infection. This presentation highlighted how easily antibiotics can be started unnecessarily when these conditions are not carefully distinguished, despite clear guideline recommendations. It served as an important reminder of the value of good clinical assessment, appropriate use of investigations, and strict adherence to evidence-based guidelines to improve paediatric patient care and reduce antibiotic resistance. #Bronchiolitis #Bronchopneumonia #ClinicalAssociate #STG #Paediatrics #ClinicalResearch #EBG