What is bronchiolitis?

A viral infection: Bronchiolitis usually affects children under the age of 2, and is even more common in the first 6 months of life. It is a common, and sometimes severe illness. Viruses that can cause bronchiolitis include: rsv, flu and adenovirus. Bronchiolitis essentially is swelling and snot in the smallest air passages in the lungs.

Small airway infect : If you think of the lungs as a tree upside down with limbs representing airways, the bronchioles are like the smaller branches and twigs where the leaves (air exchange blebs)attach. In broonchiolitis these air channels are often filled with excess mucous and may spasm with infectious swelling. The result is hampered oxygen exchange, wheezing and cough.

Viral lung infection: Bronchiolitis is a viral lung infection that causes damage and mucous in the smaller airways (air passages) in the lungs. Bronchiolitis is usually caused by the RSV virus, and occurs in babies and toddlers. After age 2 years, children have better immunity and can usually block the RSV virus from damaging the lungs. So, older children and adults just have cold symptoms when they catch rsv.

Lung infection: Bronchiolitis is an infection of the smallest breathing tubes in the lungs (bronchioles). The small airways become inflamed, swollen and filled with mucus. This can lead to breathing difficulty. It is caused by viruses such as RSV and influenza. It is more common in children under age 2 and peaks at 3-6 months of age.

Infant infection: Bronchiolitis is a condition of the lungs in infants. It is caused by a viral illness, RSV as an example, that causes inflammation (swelling) in the lung tissues. A baby often has a runny nose and cough, with a faster breathing rate. Time is usually the cure but some episodes can worsen, requiring medication and occasional hospitalization.

A viral respiratory : A viral respiratory infection in the lungs (not pneumonia) of an infant or young child. Treatment is supportive. Suction the mucus.

Lung viral infection: Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles), usually caused by a viral infection which causes disease in infants mainly and is characterised by: ◦low grade fever up to 38.5°C ◦nasal discharge ◦cough •75% of cases are caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Because this is a viral infection, patient does not require antibiotics but may require oxygen therapy if severe