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Bronchiolitis

Medical Questions » Bronchiolitis
Name: Bronchiolitis
Also known as: Respiratory Syncitial Virus Infection
A lung infection of children under two years of age.
Causes of Bronchiolitis
The respiratory syncitial virus (RSV). Tends to occur in epidemics.
Symptoms of Bronchiolitis
Infant with a cough and wheeze, shortness of breath and a runny nose. In severe cases, the child may be very weak, blue around the mouth and dehydrated.
Tests for Bronchiolitis
Doctors hear sounds in the chest that enable the diagnosis to be made. In the early stages, chest X-rays can be normal, but later a characteristic pattern shows in the lungs.
Treatment for Bronchiolitis
Antibiotics cannot cure this viral condition but are sometimes given to prevent pneumonia. Bronchodilator medications may be used but often are of little help. Placing the child in a warm room with a humidifier, or in a steam tent may give relief. More severe cases will require hospitalization, where oxygen may be administered into a steam tent to assist with breathing.
Complications of Bronchiolitis of its treatment
In rare cases permanent lung damage and even death may result.
Likely Outcome of Bronchiolitis
The vast majority of cases settle without complications in a few days to a week.
       
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