Bronchiolitis

Disease information

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis.

Inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest ramifications of the respiratory tree.

Transported from the air ducts to the larger bronchial microscopic air sacs where gas exchange occurs in the lungs.

It is a condition of young children (under six years)

Bronchiolitis can be confused with inhaled objects lodged in a lung of the child.

Forecast.

With treatment, cure is usually within 7 days.

Research indicates that children with more than 2 episodes of bronchiolitis before age 2 are more likely to develop allergies and asthma.

Complications.

Permanent lung damage that produces a chronic bronchitis;

the collapse of a small portion of the lung (atelectasis)

bronquiectasis,

and recurrent pneumonia,

rarely, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment.

Diagnosis.

History and physical examination by a doctor.

Analysis of blood.

X - ray of the lungs.

General measures.

Keep the humidity in the room of the child as high as possible through a vaporizer.

If you do not have a vaporizer, run cold or hot water in the bathroom with the windows closed to produce the needed moisture.

Keep your child in the carrier 20 minutes several times a day, especially before bed.

If during the night the child wakes up wheezing or trouble breathing, repeat the process.

It will help you breathe some fresh air.

Medication.

The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight infection by bacteria.

In other cases with mucolytics and expectorants may be sufficient.

Activity.

The child should rest until 48 hours after they have sent the symptoms.

You can then gradually revert to their normal activities.

Diet.

Give the child fluid often:

Water, tea, carbonated drinks, lemonade, clear broth, diluted fruit juice or jelly.

Do not give milk, it could thicken mucous secretions.

Tell your doctor if:

At 4 hours did not improve symptoms despite treatment.

The temperature (rectal) rises to 38 degrees or more.

Increasing breathing difficulties.

There are cough with phlegm - colored.

The skin, lips or fingernails turn dark blue.

The child will sleep.

Prevention.

Use a vaporizer cool water on the child's room every night during and after a respiratory infection in children prone to cases of bronchiolitis.

Avoid using any surveillance activities that might provoke attacks of the child, such as games - time physical fresco.

Reduce exposure of children to groups of people, especially children, to prevent colds.

Risk Factors.

Disease that reduces resistance, especially respiratory infections.

Family history of allergies.

Childhood obesity.

Signs and symptoms.

Sudden difficulty in breathing, usually preceded by a common cold with mild cough, and is characterized by:

Wheeze (beeps)

Superficial and rapid breathing (60 to 80 times per minute)

Retraction of the chest and abdomen breathing.

Fever (occasionally)

Dehydration.

Skin, nails or bluish lips (in severe cases)

Causes.

Infection by viruses or bacteria, or a combination of both.

Some children have this condition after each cold.

Bronchiolitis is contagious and often becomes epidemic.

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