Bronchiolitis is a very common and serious kind of respiratory infection that occurs mostly among babies. This disease causes the bronchioles, which are the smallest air passages present in the lungs of the babies to get inflamed. This disease mostly occurs among babies whose age is below nine months.

This disease will rarely occur in children who have crossed the age of twelve months. The babies are mainly affected by this disease during winter. The occurrence of this disease is more in case of premature babies, babies having lung problems or babies who are suffering from congenital disease of the heart.

Bronchiolitis causes

Bronchiolitis is a kind of respiratory infection that is caused by a virus. In most cases this disease is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. This virus is also known as human pneumovirus. However, this disease can be caused by various other viruses.

Another virus that causes this disease is metpneumovirus. Another virus that is responsible for this disease is coronavirus. Besides, another virus that causes bronchiolitis is adenovirus. Another virus that is responsible for this disease is rhinovirus. Besides, some other viruses that are responsible for this disease are influenza and parainfluenza.

Symptoms of Bronchiolitis

The initial symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to that of common cold. A common symptom of bronchiolitis is mild fever. Another symptom of bronchiolitis is snuffy nose. Another symptom of this disease is irritability. Another symptom is loss of appetite. However, symptoms of severeness of this disease are increase in breathlessness and development of dry cough.

The baby may get wheezy and may have trouble in breathing. This kind of breathing problem may even cause loss of appetite. Symptom of more severe condition includes stopping of breathing for ten seconds or more. This symptom is known as recurrent apnoea. Another symptom is the baby getting drowsy. Another grave symptom is the development of a blue tinge around the lips of the baby.

Treatment of Bronchiolitis

The treatment of bronchiolitis is based on the physical examination of the child and the symptoms of the disease. Mild bronchiolitis can be treated at home. Paracetamol syrup is generally prescribed to control the fever and the discomfort of the child. Besides, the child is made to drink sufficient amount of fluid in order to avoid dehydration.

Though antibiotics are not needed but the doctor may prescribe bronchodilator drug that will help the child to breathe properly. In case of severe bronchiolitis, the child should be taken to the hospital for treatment. The babies suffering from severe bronchiolitis will be provided with humidified oxygen. This is given into the nose of the babies through a tube. In more severe cases the babies may be given artificial ventilation.

In case of severe bronchiolitis the babies are generally taken to hospital for treatment. Often the babies are provided with nasopharynx suction. This is generally done to keep the air passage of the lungs clear. Doctors often give medicines like ipratropium or salbutamol/albuterol to see if it works. These medicines are prescribed for babies who have a family history of asthma. Another drug that is given in this case is Racemic epinephrine.

Doctors often prescribe Ribavirin for treating bronchiolitis caused by RSV virus. This drug is used for treating bronchiolitis in children having pre-existing heart or lung problem. Doctors also prescribe antibiotics for treating severe bronchiolitis. However, hypertonic saline is given children suffering from bronchiolitis as it helps in increasing the hydration of the body.

Preventive Measures of Bronchiolitis

Prevention of bronchiolitis refers to finding out measures to reduce the spreading of the virus that causes this respiratory infection. The measures may include proper washing of the hand and avoiding the babies who to be exposed to other children who are already affected by this infection.

However, infants who have lungs or heart problems can be injected with Palivizumab in order to provide them passive immunization. Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody that will act against RSV and will prevent these children from getting affected by bronchiolitis.