What causes bronchiolitis in infants?

Bronchiolitis is a viral respiratory infection, most often caused by RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), affecting the small airways of infants under 2 years old.

Who is most at risk of bronchiolitis in Courchevel?

Infants under 2 years, especially those under 6 months, premature babies and children exposed to cold, dry mountain air or crowded indoor environments.

How is bronchiolitis treated?

Treatment is mostly supportive: hydration, nasal clearance, monitoring and paediatric respiratory physiotherapy to help clear secretions. Severe cases may require hospital care.

Is the service available 7 days a week?

Yes. Emergency mobile visits for infant bronchiolitis are available 7 days a week during the ski season in Courchevel and the 3 Valleys.

How quickly can you come to my chalet?

Same-day visits are usually possible. Call or WhatsApp +33 6 60 95 66 51 for the fastest response.

When should I go to hospital instead?

Seek emergency hospital care if your baby has severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, persistent inability to feed, extreme fatigue or is under 3 months with worsening symptoms.

Is paediatric respiratory physiotherapy available in Courchevel for infants with bronchiolitis?

Yes. Mathieu Zelechowski at My French Physio offers an emergency paediatric respiratory physiotherapy service in Courchevel for infants under 2 years old suffering from bronchiolitis. He has completed three accredited training courses at Bordeaux University Hospital's paediatric emergency department and is equipped with a professional stethoscope and hospital-grade oximeter. Available 7 days a week, same-day at-home appointments in Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz and La Tania.

What is AFE (Accélération du Flux Expiratoire)?

AFE — Accélération du Flux Expiratoire — is the reference paediatric respiratory physiotherapy technique recommended by the French Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS). It uses a gentle, controlled pressure on the infant's thorax synchronised with expiration to mobilise and clear bronchial mucus. The technique is non-invasive, painless, and visible improvements are often observed from the first session.

When should I call for emergency physiotherapy for my baby with bronchiolitis?

Contact us immediately if your infant has wheezing, fast or laboured breathing, chest retractions, persistent cough, feeding difficulties or visible distress — especially at altitude in Courchevel where bronchiolitis tends to worsen. For severe cases (cyanosis, severe respiratory distress, oxygen saturation below 92%), call SAMU 15 first. For moderate cases, our same-day home visit service can intervene rapidly with a full clinical assessment and AFE treatment.

How quickly can you arrive for an infant emergency in Courchevel?

For paediatric respiratory emergencies, Mathieu prioritises infant cases and aims to arrive within 1 to 2 hours, often sooner. He drives a 4x4 Jeep adapted to mountain roads and reaches all areas of Courchevel and La Tania in any weather. Available 7 days a week throughout the winter ski season (December to late April).

Why is bronchiolitis more frequent at altitude in ski resorts?

High altitude (above 1500 m) reduces oxygen availability and exposes infants to dry, cold mountain air which dries the airway mucosa. These conditions can worsen the symptoms of viral bronchiolitis in infants under 2 years old. Indoor heating in chalets and hotels also contributes to airway dryness. This is why family ski stays in Courchevel sometimes coincide with the first episode of bronchiolitis, and why a local emergency physiotherapy service is essential.

Bronchiolitis Emergency Physiotherapy Courchevel — Infant Respiratory Service

Q: How does My French Physio treat bronchiolitis?

A French state-registered physiotherapist performs gentle paediatric airway clearance techniques at your chalet or hotel, with parental education and follow-up as needed.

Emergency Quick Answer

Bronchiolitis respiratory physiotherapy in Courchevel is an emergency mobile service for infants and young children with breathing difficulties. The physiotherapist comes to your chalet within hours with all paediatric equipment. Each session uses gentle accelerated expiratory flow techniques (AFE) to clear bronchial mucus and ease breathing. Available 7/7 during winter season, English-speaking, French state-registered (RPPS 10005513642). Call +33 6 60 95 66 51 — same-day visits.

My French Physio provides paediatric respiratory physiotherapy in Courchevel for infants and young children with bronchiolitis, on medical prescription. Mathieu Zelechowski is a French state-registered physiotherapist trained in respiratory techniques used in France for paediatric care. Sessions take place at your chalet or hotel, with close coordination with the prescribing doctor or paediatrician. Service available 7 days a week during the winter season in the Courchevel valley. Booking and medical advice: +33 6 60 95 66 51.

What Causes Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that targets an infant below the age of 2. It's caused by a virus called respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. It is quite a seasonal infection, in the northern hemisphere, it occurs from November to April, with a peak in January February. It causes the lungs, bronchioles to be obstructed and can lead to severe hypoxia (lack of oxygen)

Who Is Susceptible To Bronchiolitis In Courchevel?

The main target is infants below 2 years old. Virtually everyone has been infected with RSV by the age of three. It is common to be infected more than once, however, subsequent infections are usually milder.

Children who are older than two years do not develop bronchiolitis but can be infected with RSV. RSV infection is common in children older than two. It usually causes symptoms similar to those of the common cold or mild wheezing, and at times, the illness is significant enough to require evaluation by a health care expert.

baby being monitored by physio courchevel

How Bronchiolitis In Courchevel Be Treated?

As RSV is a virus the treatment is mainly symptomatic. The little patient may be prescribed by the GP, anti-inflammatory, Broncho dilatators, and most important physiotherapy to clear the lungs. Monitoring is a key factor, my french physio Courchevel is equipped with first quality stethoscope and hospital grade oximeter (a device that measures oxygen blood saturation ). Behaviours need as well to be changed, your physio will tell you more. And remember my French physio Courchevel did 3 accredited training with the best infant's ER in Bordeaux, France.

How Does My French Physio Treat Bronchiolitis?

respiratory breathing massag technics done by my french physio courchevel

First of all, all french physiotherapists are trained to deal with bronchiolitis during their studies. Scientific consensus and studies have shown that physio and specific massage are one of the only treatment for RVS. First of all the physio in Courchevel will assess precisely the state of the patient. Referred by a GP who is always giving his opinion and diagnosis, the physio will listen to the infant's lungs with a stethoscope to assess the state of lung obstructions, then my French physio Courchevel will measure the oxygen level in the blood, and look for precise clinical signs. This evaluation will lead to a physio treatment or a medical evacuation to the nearest hospital depending on the clinical signs. In most of the cases, physiotherapy treatment is enough. The daily sessions are usually done before food intake. My French physio Courchevel will give a series of advice and general recommendations to the parents. The physio technics involved a series of manual compressions of the rib cage and abdominal pressures. The purpose is to accelerate the exhaling airflow to clean the lungs. The technics are quite spectacular and can be traumatic for the parents to see, but they are painless for the baby and are the way to treat bronchiolitis. Usually, 4 sessions are enough. My French physio Courchevel did 3 extra specific pieces of training with Bordeaux's Hospital, your child is in safe hands and always linked with either the GP, emergency services and your physio is available 7 days a week during the winter season. I always take time to explain to the parents the procedure and answer every question.

Paediatric care during your stay in Courchevel

Infant bronchiolitis is a sudden and stressful event for parents on holiday. Early respiratory physiotherapy improves comfort and shortens recovery, but it must be performed by a qualified practitioner. Sessions are delivered at your chalet by Mathieu Zelechowski, French state-registered physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience including paediatric respiratory care. Our broader mobile physiotherapy services in Courchevel also cover adult and child orthopaedic conditions, so families with multiple needs can be looked after during the same stay. For same-day appointments anywhere in Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz or La Tania, contact us directly seven days a week.

stethoscope used before massage technics done my french physio courchevel