bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is the inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, most commonly affecting children between one and two years old. It is often caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common infectious agent that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe lower respiratory disease in infants. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, fever, and wheezing, with severe cases presenting with labored breathing and bluish lips or fingers. While often self-limiting, severe bronchiolitis can be life-threatening, particularly for infants and the elderly. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, as antibiotics are only effective if the cause is bacterial, which is rare.123