Bronchiolitis facts for kids

Bronchiolitis is a medical condition where the smaller parts of the lung (called bronchioles) are irritated. This makes it very hard to move air in and out of the lungs. Many things can cause bronchiolitis. The most common is the respiratory syncytial virus. The disease Bronchiolitis is not the same as Bronchitis. The medicine used to treat bronchitis may not be the same as those used to treat bronchiolitis. The disease is more common in children.

Treatment

Usually treatment for bronchiolitis is to make the person as comfortable as possible. This can sometimes be giving them oxygen through tubes sitting on their nose (nasal cannula). A doctor may also use medicines such as epinephrine or dexamethasone.

Images for kids

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  Acute inflammatory exudate occluding the lumen of the bronchiole and acute inflammation of part of the wall of the bronchiole

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  A newborn wearing a nasal CPAP device.

See also

In Spanish: Bronquiolitis para niños