Acute Bronchiolitis

Our body has many systems made up of complex arrangements of multiple organs. The digestive system, circulatory system, and respiratory system are examples. The respiratory system begins with the nostrils and extends up to the lungs. Many organs like the pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, bronchioles, etc., are part of the respiratory system. Bronchiolitis is a disease in which small airways present in the lungs are blocked. Acute bronchiolitis is caused by a viral infection and generally affects younger children around 2 years. Let us study in-depth about bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis

Although Bronchiolitis sounds a lot like bronchitis, it is a different disease. Let us take a look at what acute bronchiolitis is. In Bronchiolitis, the small airways called the bronchioles present in the lung help exchange gasses to get blocked. This disrupts the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Acute bronchiolitis was observed in children less than 2 years of age. The symptoms like runny nose, wheezing and breathing problems can be observed. The causes of acute bronchiolitis are usually a respiratory syncytial virus or human rhinovirus. Chronic bronchiolitis is a type of small airways disease in adults and is significantly observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

However, few adults can also get chronic bronchiolitis. 

A condition called bronchiolitis obliterans is also called the popcorn lung. 

The virus that causes bronchiolitis is highly contagious and can spread from person to person through secretions of the nose and mouth. The respiratory droplets that get released into the air when someone sneezes or coughs could also be responsible for spreading this virus. Let us take a look at the symptoms and signs of bronchiolitis.

Symptoms and signs of acute bronchiolitis

The symptoms and science of bronchodilators are similar to the flu and cold. 

These Symptoms include:

• A fever of about under 101F
• A runny nose
• Cough
• Breathing becoming rapid or shallow
• Wheezing: After the first three symptoms, in about 3 days, wheezing could be observed, which can be detected by listening to the chest with a stethoscope.

If acute bronchiolitis is present more severely, the children observe the following symptoms.

• A child makes grunting noises
• The child has difficulty sucking and swallowing
• Feeding becomes difficult, along with poor appetite
• The child’s skin is drawn towards the rib cage and looks like it’s going inwards because they are trying hard to breathe, and their chest retracts, this is called Hoover’s sign
• The child’s lips, toes, and fingertips could turn gray or blue
• The child could become sluggish

Let us now study the causes of acute bronchiolitis:

Causes of acute bronchiolitis

The cause of acute bronchiolitis is usually the respiratory syncytial virus, also known as the human pneumovirus. Other agents who can cause acute bronchiolitis are:

• Influenza
• Metapneumovirus
• Coronavirus
• Parainfluenza
• Mycoplasma
• Adenovirus

If the following conditions are present in a child, acute bronchiolitis could get more severe.

• Congenital heart disease
• The gestational age is less than 37 weeks
• immunodeficiency
• Neurological disorders
• Chronic lung disease
• Exposure to tobacco smoke

Let us learn about how to diagnose acute bronchiolitis.

The diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis

The diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis is generally made by clinical examination. A chest x-ray can be used fully to detect people with impending respiratory failure. Tests like the complete blood count and blood cultures are useful in children who exhibit signs of sepsis and pneumonia.

The testing of RSV by direct immunofluorescence testing on nasopharyngeal aspirate usually has a specificity of 89% and sensitivity of 61%.

The treatment and prevention of acute bronchiolitis

Some doctors use steroids to treat bronchiolitis, while some other doctors use bronchodilators to treat bronchiolitis. Oxygen therapy is also being tested for treatment. The number of children that die from acute bronchiolitis per year is about 2,00,000 globally.

The prevention of acute bronchiolitis mostly depends upon measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus, which results in respiratory infections. A strong immune system and well-maintained hygiene could contribute significantly to the prevention of acute bronchiolitis in babies and adults.

Feeding the babies strictly with breastmilk during the first month of life helps develop a strong immune system.

Conclusion

Bronchiolitis is a disease that usually affects younger children and is caused due to the blockages of small airways of the lungs, that is, the bronchioles. Acute bronchiolitis, more common among children, results from a viral infection. The symptoms of acute bronchiolitis in children include a slight fever, a runny nose, and a cough. Other agents of bronchioles include pneumovirus, mycoplasma, influenza, etc. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis can be made through clinical examination and chest x-ray. Doctors use steroids to treat bronchiolitis, and prevention mostly depends upon the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus.