Bronchiolitis is a lung infection that mostly occurs in infants in the autumn and winter months, although adults may also develop it. This infection, which affects the lower airways, can be severe and often requires medical attention.
Doctors often diagnose bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age. Experts estimate that during a baby’s first year of life, the chance of developing bronchiolitis is
In this article, we look at the symptoms and causes of bronchiolitis, as well as the possible treatment options.
The initial symptoms of bronchiolitis tend to be similar to those of the common cold, such as:
- a runny nose
- fever
- a cough
At this point, there may be no need to consult a doctor. At this early stage, doctors are unable to tell the common cold and bronchiolitis apart.
48–72 hours later
In bronchiolitis, the infection spreads to the lower airways — including the bronchioles — causing inflammation. A buildup of fluid can block the lower airways.
As a result, after 2–3 days, people will typically notice their symptoms worsening significantly. They may have difficulty breathing and try to compensate by breathing harder.
At this point, people usually consult a doctor. When they perform a physical examination, the doctor will hear crackling, wheezing, and rattling sounds in the lungs.
Severity
People will present with different symptoms that vary in severity. Some infants may only have mild symptoms, such as rapid breathing, whereas others may have more severe signs, such as blue tinged lips and skin.
Adults may occasionally develop bronchiolitis from a viral infection, but their symptoms are generally less severe than those of infants.
Symptoms in an infant can progress to respiratory failure, which is life threatening and requires immediate hospitalization. However, this is uncommon in healthy infants who had a full term delivery.
Duration
The symptoms of bronchiolitis tend to last for about
The most
Over the years, doctors have identified other viruses that cause bronchiolitis. These include:
- human rhinovirus, which causes the common cold
- coronavirus
- human metapneumovirus
- adenovirus
- parainfluenza
About
Risk factors
Some people, including premature babies born before week 32 of pregnancy and infants under 3 months of age, are more at risk of developing severe symptoms from bronchiolitis.
Babies and toddlers with the following conditions are also at higher risk:
- neuromuscular diseases that affect breathing
- congenital heart disease
- chronic lung illness
- immunodeficiency
The type of treatment will depend on several factors, including the age and health status of the individual and the severity of the symptoms.
Supportive care
Doctors manage bronchiolitis with
Oxygen therapy
Some people may require oxygen therapy to help alleviate breathing difficulties.
Intensive care
People with bronchiolitis may become
People with severe hypoxia can present with a blueish hue of the skin. Treatment of hypoxia requires intensive care, in which doctors focus on maintaining open airways and increasing the amount of oxygen in the air that the person breathes.
Medications for infants
Infants with mild-to-moderate symptoms may not require hospitalization. Instead, doctors may recommend:
- nasal saline solutions to clear out the upper airways
- antipyretic medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to control fever
- a humidifier to improve breathing
Preventive immunization
Some infants may benefit from immunization to help prevent bronchiolitis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend preventive immunization with palivizumab (Synagis) for at-risk infants in their first year of life.
Infants whom they consider to be at risk include:
- premature babies born before the 29th week of pregnancy
- infants with some types of congenital heart disease
- infants born prematurely with chronic lung disease
Doctors will administer up to five doses of palivizumab to at-risk infants throughout the months when community outbreaks of RSV occur. These usually begin in November or December and extend into March or April.
The five doses will protect babies for at least 24 weeks. Some infants may receive fewer doses if the start of immunization is late. Once the RSV season ends, immunization is no longer necessary.
After the first year of life, babies are less susceptible to severe bronchiolitis.
Infants will only require another series of doses in the following season if they were born prematurely with chronic lung disease and continue to require treatment within 6 months of the start of the second RSV season.
Parents or caregivers who notice that a baby has symptoms of the common cold do not necessarily need to see a pediatrician immediately. While a doctor can evaluate a baby’s health status, they are unable to cure the common cold and can only offer help to relieve symptoms.
After 2–3 days, if the symptoms get worse or the baby shows any signs of difficulty breathing, it is important to take them to see a doctor right away or to go to the emergency room. Doctors can immediately provide supportive care. Early intervention is key for a quick recovery.
Infants who were born very prematurely or have certain underlying health conditions are also at higher risk of severe bronchiolitis from RSV. Doctors should offer preventive immunization for these infants.
Studies show that among infants, the mortality rate for bronchiolitis is between
With early diagnosis and treatment, people with bronchiolitis generally recover without any future consequences.
If infants receive the appropriate hydration and supportive care, their symptoms should improve within
