Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis


About bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory disease caused by an infection that affects the tiny airways, called
the bronchi leading to the lungs. As these airways inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making
Breathing difficult.

Bronchiolitis:

most common in infants and young children because their small airways can be blocked more easily than those
older children or adults
usually occurs during the first 2 years of life, old with peak occurrence at about 3 to 6 months
is more common in men, children who were not breastfed, and those who live in crowded conditions
Day-care attendance and exposure to cigarette smoke may also increase the likelihood that a child will develop
Bronchiolitis.

Although it is often a mild illness, some children are at risk for a serious disease that requires hospitalization.
Conditions, which include increasing the risk of severe bronchiolitis premature births from chronic heart or lung disease, and a
weakened immune system due to disease or medication.

Children who have had bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma later in life, but it is unclear whether the disease
Causes or triggers asthma, or whether children who eventually develop asthma were simply more prone to developing
Bronchiolitis as infants. Studies are conducted to examine the relationship between bronchiolitis and the later clarification
Development of asthma.

Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infections are
responsible for more than half of all cases of bronchiolitis and are most popular in the winter and early spring.
Other viruses associated with bronchiolitis rhinovirus, influenza (flu) and human metapneumovirus.

Signs and symptoms
The first symptoms of bronchiolitis are usually the same as those of a common cold:

Stuffiness
runny nose
mild cough
slight fever
These symptoms last a day or two and are followed by worsening of cough and wheezing (high-pitched whistling sounds
during exhalation).

Sometimes gradually develop more severe breathing difficulties, characterized by:

rapid, shallow breathing
a fast heartbeat
Draw in the neck and chest with each breath, known as retractions
Flaring of the nostrils
Irritability, sleep disturbances and signs of tiredness or lethargy
The child can also feed a poor appetite and not good or dehydrated. Vomiting after coughing may occur as
good. Less commonly, babies, especially those born prematurely, have episodes where they stop breathing briefly (this
is called apnea) before developing other symptoms.

In severe cases, symptoms can worsen quickly. A child with severe bronchiolitis may be tired from the work
Respiratory and poor air movement in and out of the lungs caused by the clogging of the small airways. The skin can
(called cyanosis) blue, which is especially noticeable in the lips and fingernails. The child may also dehydrated
of working harder to breathe, vomiting, and taking in less during feedings.

Contagiousness
The infections that cause bronchiolitis are contagious. The germs can spread in tiny drops of fluid from an infected
Person's nose and mouth, which can be in the air over sneezing, coughing or laughing, and can also end up on the things
Person has touched, such as used tissues or toys.

Toddlers in day care centers have a higher risk, an infection that can cause bronchiolitis because
they are in close contact with many other children.

Prevention
The best way to prevent the spread of viruses that can cause bronchiolitis is frequent hand washing. It may help to keep
Children away from others who have colds or coughs. Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to develop
severe bronchiolitis compared with those from smoke-free homes. Therefore, it is important to avoid that children
Cigarette smoke.

Although a vaccine for bronchiolitis not been developed, a drug can be administered to reduce the severity of
Disease. It contains antibodies against RSV and is injected monthly during peak RSV season. The drug is recommended only
for children at high risk for severe disease, such as those born very prematurely or those with chronic lung or heart
Disease.

Incubation
The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) in the range of several days to a week,
depending on the infection causes bronchiolitis.

Time
Cases of bronchiolitis typically last about 12 days, but kids with severe cases can cough for weeks. The disease
generally peaks up to the third day after the child starts about the second, coughing and difficulty breathing and then
gradually dissolves.

Professional treatment
Fortunately, most cases of bronchiolitis are mild and require no specific professional treatment. Antibiotics are not
useful because bronchiolitis caused by a viral infection and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial
Infections. Medications can sometimes administered to open a child's airway.

Infants who have trouble breathing, are dehydrated or seem tired should always be examined by a doctor. Those who
are moderately or severely ill should be hospitalized, closely monitored, and because fluids and humidified oxygen.
Rarely, in very severe cases, some babies are placed on respirators to help them breathe until they to start better.

Home Treatment
The best treatment for most children is time to rest and plenty of fluids. Ensure that a child drinks enough fluids can
a difficult task, however, because infants with bronchiolitis do not feel like drinking. They should be offered fluids in
small amounts at more frequent intervals than usual.

Indoor air, especially in winter can dry out airways and make the mucus stickier. Some parents use a cool mist
Vaporizer or humidifier in the room to help the child, loosen mucus in the airways and relieve cough and congestion. If you
Use one, you clean it daily to prevent mold formation with household bleach. Avoid hot water and steam humidifiers,
that can be dangerous and can cause scalding.

To clear nasal congestion, try a bulb syringe and saline (salt water) nose drops. This can be especially helpful, only
before feeding and sleeping. Sometimes you can keep the child in an upright position easily improve working
Breathing. Given acetaminophen to reduce fever and the child will be more comfortable. Be sure all necessary
Dosage and frequency of medication based on the weight of your child.

When to call the doctor
Call your doctor if your child:

breathe quickly, especially if this is accompanied by retractions or wheezing
could be dehydrated by loss of appetite, or vomiting
is sleepier than usual
has a high fever
a deterioration cough
appears tired or lethargic
Help immediately if you have difficulty breathing and cough, retractions, or wheezing your child feel
getting worse, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.