Bronchiolitis facts for kids

Bronchiolitis is a common medical problem that affects the lungs. It happens when the smallest airways in your lungs, called bronchioles, get irritated and swollen. This swelling makes it hard for air to move in and out of your lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Many different things can cause bronchiolitis. The most common cause is a tiny germ called the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Bronchiolitis is not the same as Bronchitis, which affects larger airways. The treatments for these two conditions can be different. Bronchiolitis is much more common in young children and babies.

How Bronchiolitis Affects Breathing

When the bronchioles get irritated, they can swell up and produce extra mucus. Imagine a small straw that suddenly gets narrower and sticky inside – it would be much harder to suck air through it! This is similar to what happens in the lungs during bronchiolitis. The air has trouble getting to and from the tiny air sacs where oxygen is absorbed into the blood.

What Causes Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a virus. The most common one is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Other viruses, like the influenza virus (which causes the flu) or even some coronaviruses, can also lead to bronchiolitis. These viruses spread easily from person to person, often through coughs and sneezes.

Who Gets Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis mostly affects babies and young children, especially those under two years old. Their airways are smaller and still developing, so they are more likely to get blocked when irritated. Older children and adults can get these viruses, but they usually only cause a mild cold, not full-blown bronchiolitis.

How Doctors Help

Usually, the main goal of treatment for bronchiolitis is to help the person feel as comfortable as possible while their body fights off the virus. Since it's caused by a virus, antibiotics don't work.

Breathing Support

Sometimes, if breathing is very difficult, doctors might give extra oxygen. This can be done using small tubes that sit just inside the nose, called a nasal cannula. This helps make sure enough oxygen gets into the blood. In more serious cases, a special mask or machine might be used to help with breathing.

Medicines

A doctor might sometimes use certain medicines to help. For example, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) can sometimes help open up the airways. Another medicine, dexamethasone, might be used to reduce swelling. However, these medicines are not always needed and are used only if the doctor thinks they will help.

At-Home Care

For most children with bronchiolitis, care at home is very important. This includes making sure they get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. Keeping their nose clear with saline drops and gentle suction can also help them breathe more easily, especially before feeding.

Images for kids

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  This picture shows what bronchiolitis looks like inside the lung. The dark area is a tiny airway (bronchiole) blocked by inflammation and mucus.

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  A newborn baby wearing a nasal CPAP device. This helps gently push air into the lungs to make breathing easier.