Bronchiolitis is an acute infectious disease of the lower respiratory tract(inflammation of the bronchioles),most often it occurs in children less than 3 years old.
SYMPTOMS:
-Viral Upper Respiratory Infection(URI) including cough,continuous watery mucus discharge from the nose,low grade fever.In rare cases
lower respiratory tract may occur in infants and young children including difficult respiration(dyspnea),paroxysmal cough.
Other symptoms include
-Fever(range of 38.5-39°C)
-wheezing,Noisy breathing
-Bluish skin color due to the decrease of oxygen in the blood
-Irritability & Poor feeding
-pharyngitis
-Inflammation of the middle ear(Otitis)
-Tachypnea(rapid breathing,50-60 breaths per minute),
-Tachycardia(rapid heartbeat,over 100 beats per minute)
CAUSES:
It is mainly caused by Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) and others including Adenovirus, parainfluenza less common agents such as
Enterovirus, Mycoplasmic pneumoniae, Rhinovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, contact with the infectious person..
TREATEMENT:
Hospital care includes- Humidified oxygen supply, nebulizing with bronchodilators, cardiorespiratory monitoring,maintain adequate hydration,controlling Fever & Tachypnea.
Antibiotics are needed for bacterial infection/Otitis media.