Bronchiolitis is a frequent, acute disease of small bronchi and bronchioles of the youngest infants and young children. The virus usually causes the bronchiolar infection in a small child. The disease is spreading like other viral cold-catarrhal infections and flu - by droplet. The incubation period lasts 2-7 days. About 80% of cases occur among infants, usually between 2 and 6 months of age.
Is the disease threatening the life of an infant?
The disease may be a mild respiratory infection, but it may occur in the form of inflammation of the bronchioles and lungs directly life-threatening. It is estimated that in highly developed countries about 3 in 100 infants suffer from bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization. Increased risk of ill health concerns premature babies, children of smokers and those suffering from respiratory system defects.
What microbes cause bronchiolitis?
Inflammation of the bronchioles is mainly caused by the RSV virus - so-called respiratory epithelial virus that infects the entire population of infants and young children. Paralysis viruses are less likely to infect bronchioles with the bronchioles. In older children, they infect adenoviruses and, secondarily, bacterial overweight (M. pneumonice, etc.) may appear.
Typical symptoms of inflammation
The symptoms are typical for rhinitis and rhinitis - runny nose, sneezing, inflammation and redness of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa. Then there is a fever, persistent cough, wheezing, exhaustive dyspnoea.
Infection of the bronchioles with the RSV virus predominates in infants
Infection with RSV among the youngest children is very common - nearly all children undergo infection until the age of 2. The RSV virus is transmitted by droplets and by direct contact with infected surfaces. The germ is home to the path of "older siblings", which infection brings him from school or kindergarten. The peak of sickness dates in winter and early spring. Cessation of RSV infection does not provide permanent immunity. In 3-year-old children, more than 70% may have a second infection, but at this age the course of the disease is definitely milder.
Dangerous for babies RS virus
Severe symptoms of bronchiolitis in an infant
Sometimes, but quite rarely in infants develop symptoms of severe bronchiolitis. It is assumed that the age of the child and the unstimulated immune system may play a significant role; as well as prematurity and its consequences - bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease). In addition, congenital heart defects, cystic fibrosis. In the course of the disease, respiratory failure may develop, there may be periods of apnea and respiratory acidosis. Despite such severe symptoms, after a few days there is an improvement, although coughing and "elongated" exhalation may last longer.
The severe course of bronchiolitis in preterm infants
Infants with prematurity (born before 32 weeks of gestation) are 10 times more likely to have lower respiratory tract infections compared to those born at time. The course of infection in this group is severe, and these children usually require hospitalization and treatment under intensive care. Especially when there is cyanosis, signs of dehydration, increased number of breaths, etc.
Acute bronchiolitis and asthma
Acute bronchiolitis mimics the symptoms of asthma and predisposes to asthma in the future. Occurs, as we have already mentioned in younger children.
Treatment of bronchiolitis in young children - general principles
The basis of treatment in acute bronchiolitis is proper care: moisturizing the airways, hydration of the child, ensuring the supply of cool clean air, monitoring the pulse rate, breathing, as well as oxygen therapy. To a lesser extent, antiviral drugs are used. The use of these drugs that kill RSV viruses is controversial. The use of corticosteroids also raises a lot of controversy, as there is not enough evidence of the effectiveness of such treatment. The viral cause of the symptoms of the disease does not justify the administration of antibiotics - as long as there are no signs of secondary bacterial infection (fever, rales in the lungs, purulent cough). Then the doctor will probably recommend their use. Recently, special attention is paid to the prevention of infection. The results of using RSV vaccines are promising.
