Understanding The Basics On Bronchiolitis - Causes, Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

bronchiolitis is a condition characterized by inflammation in the bronchioles of the respiratory system it is usually caused by a viral infection with respiratory syncytial virus being the most common causative organism infants of age less than one year are commonly affected and in most cases the disease is self-limiting the disease is mainly transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions in addition aerosol transmission and transmission through fomits are also possible risk factors for bronchiolitis include prematurity and low birth weight low socioeconomic status overcrowding parental smoking congenital lung diseases severe congenital or acquired neurological disorders and immune deficiency as already mentioned the commonest causative organism is respiratory syncytial virus others include rhinovirus human medic pneumovirus influenza and para influenza viruses adenovirus coronavirus and human Boca virus infection with one or more of these organisms lead to inflammation in the bronchioles causing excessive mucus production and Airway edema this will result in Airway obstruction ultimately leading to increased Airway resistance alveolar collapse and ventilation perfusion mismatch now let's discuss the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis initially infants become increasingly fussy and have difficulty in feeding they will also have a low-grade fever chorizo symptoms and nasal block and apnea or temporary cessation of breathing with progression of the disease infants will have cough difficulty in breathing and wheezing severe bronchiolitis can progress into respiratory distress with increased respiratory rate cyanosis and intercostal and subcostal recessions as mentioned earlier in most cases the disease is self-limiting some rare complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome bronchiolatus obliterins heart failure secondary bacterial infection arrhythmias and chronic lung disease diagnosis of bronchiolitis is primarily clinical and based on signs and symptoms patients age and seasonal occurrences for instance bronchiolatus is more common during the winter tests are typically used to exclude other differential diagnosis finally as far as the treatment is concerned no antiviral therapy exists for most causes of bronchiolitis treatment is mainly supportive which includes symptomatic relief oxygenation and hydration of the infant