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  • Bronchioles are tiny tubes inside the lungs that supply air that we breathe in. 

  • As these tubes are tiny, any inflammation causes severe symptoms.

  • This inflammation can occur due to many reasons, most often due to a virus.

  • This condition is most often in children less than 2 years of age.

  • As you might have noticed, children get more viral infections than adults.

  • Once this virus travels downwards from the nose to the lungs, Bronchiolitis occurs.

 

SYMPTOMS

  • Running nose, fever, cough, wheeze are some symptoms.

  • Here, due to the plugging of tubes by mucus, there is difficulty in breathing.

  • The baby may cry constantly or in later stages be inactive.

 

TREATMENT

  • As this is a viral disease there is no effective treatment.

  • Most of it is supportive.

  • Some of the below might help

  • Steam inhalation (be careful not to burn) is may be beneficial.

  • Occasionally inhalers are prescribed to try to open the lungs.

  • Oxygen and fluids are given in hospitals. Antibiotics are not given until a coexisting bacterial infection is suspected.

Remember- Any child less than 3 months, or with a history of heart conditions, or change in colour must be immediately seen by a doctor.

 

PREVENTION

  • In babies with heart and other lung issues, medications to prevent RSV virus is given in winter months as monthly injections.

 

CONCERNS

  • Children with bronchiolitis are known to have recurrent wheezing episodes.

 

DANGER SIGNS- See a doctor if the below features.

  • Inability to feed

  • Not passed urine for over few hours (8 to 12 hours)

  • Change in colour- turning blue

  • Difficulty in breathing

  • Unresponsive or weakness

  • Babies less than 3 months

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