Bronchiolitis

WHAT ARE TYPES OF BRONCHIOLITIS

Bronchiolitis is categorised in 2 parts :

Viral Bronchiolitis

This is season based bronchiolitis occurs in winters and sometimes in monsoon as well and viral bronchiolitis in kids holds the RSV for further damage.

Bronchiolitis Obliteran

Another name for this is, constrictive bronchiolitis. It declines the proper functioning of lungs and disturbs the small airways. Usually bronchiolitis obliteran is seen in adults and in children as well. Exposure to hazardous toxins such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur mustard gas and diacetyl ( some traces are present in the popcorn) can cause bronchiolitis obliterans and also fly ash, bleach and fibreglass.

CAUSES- RISK FACTORS INVOLVED WITH BRONCHIOLITIS 

There are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing bronchiolitis. 

If the age is 3-6 months then bronchiolitis likely to occur:

• When siblings have bronchiolitis
• Underweight child
• Baby’s gestational age becomes barrier
• If baby’s parents or family members are smokers 
• Child’s continuous exposure to heavy, crowded places
• Airway anomalies

Bronchiolitis Obliteran causes risks like :

• Use of cigarette and narcotic drugs
• Working in toxin producing chemical factories
• Pulmonary insufficiency
• Possess auto immune deficiency diseases

HOW BRONCHIOLITIS CAN BE TREATED ?

Treatment for bronchiolitis varies, but each method is meant to help you stop further lung disturbance. It can include the following :

a) If born prematurely and are underweight, such children should be directly admitted to the hospital, without further ado. Oxygen levels fluctuate in this condition so doctors use an oximeter to measure that. Oximeter is attached with the child’s finger which shows exact reading.

b) To know the type, doctors typically collect the small portion of mucus from the child’s body if nothing matches then, it is caused because of viral bronchiolitis and if it matches then the type is bronchiolitis obliteran. Also confirms whether RSV’s involvement is there or not. 

c) Intravenous food options like nasogastric tubes are used to feed the essential nutrients like milk and cerelac. At times, nebulizers also come for rescue.

d) If nothing works, ask your doctor about lung transplant and immediately discuss its procedure. As this is the best permanent option it significantly improves the outcome for the children with bronchiolitis.

MEDICATIONS FOR BRONCHIOLITIS 

Antibiotics can give relief to some children but for a short period.

Best medicine for chest congestion is Immunosuppressants and much better than antibiotics in this condition.

Also some suggested list of medicines is shown below.

DexamethasoneRibavirin

Prednisone

Palivizumab

Alpha and Beta agonists such as albuterol

Cefotaxime

These medicines can help in controlling bronchiolitis but discuss with your doctor as these medicines may have some life-threatening side effects. 

Symptoms

The symptoms are primarily related to viral bronchiolitis and bronchiolitis obliterans and symptoms vary widely because of many effects.

Following are included :

• Wheezing
• Weakness
• Ribs contracts
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Crackly lung
• Stuffy nose
• Common cold
• Nasal flaring in toddlers
• Noisy, husky and cracking voice

Mild symptoms are harmless but it doesn’t take more time to convert in the severe and untreated bronchiolitis is very dangerous, so talk to your doctor.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe but maximum children get normal within a few weeks but in some its acuteness progresses slowly while in some bronchiolitis worsens quickly. Bronchiolitis can catch adults also sometimes.  

Causes

Doctors sometimes fail to find the actual cause but as per the research, environmental factors, virus and use of inappropriate medicines can cause bronchiolitis.

3 kinds of viruses are mainly responsible.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ( RSV) – It is not wrong to say that more than 50-60%  cases of Bronchiolitis are due to RSV attacks.  The prime target of RSV is children of 2-3 years and also in toddlers.  It promotes the growth of mucus and swelling. 

Influenza Virus – Though it focuses mainly on harming kids' health in some cases, women with the late pregnancy and those who have cardiopulmonary disorder, also becomes the target of this. Fever, cough and headache can occur if you have influenza virus. 

Adenoviruses – It hits the mucous membrane about 10-15% respiratory tract related diseases in children are because of adenoviruses.

FAQ

1. WHAT DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BRONCHIOLITIS ?

Your doctor will take into account your child’s symptoms and on the basis of that will diagnose the disease.

Tests such as :

• Chest X- ray
• Cystic fibrosis test
• Asthma test
• Urine test
• Blood test
• Mucous membrane sample test

 Apart from all these, doctors might also do some non-specific tests to check the inflammation which bronchiolitis produces in the body.

2. HOW TO CURE  BRONCHIOLITIS ?

a) Half of the disease can be cured at home only which eases the condition rapidly. So start by giving them enough water and beneficial liquids such as fruit juices, coconut water and         smoothies don’t let your child go into dehydration mode.

b) Try to avoid smoking and use of narcotics when your child is near. This is also an efficient preventive method.

c) Take doctor’s advice before giving aspirin to your child if he/she is under 18 and has bronchiolitis.

d) Salt water drops might help children in this condition, ask about  the dosage to the chemist or doctor. 

e) Don’t take your child near toxic chemicals and ashes.

3. IS BRONCHIOLITIS CONTAGIOUS ?

Yes, it is contagious. A person can spread the virus to others through sneezing, coughing and if affected person’s touched things are touched by a normal person such as pen, books, toys, etc then chances to spread the disease are there. It takes weeks and months to fully recover.  Because of this, children with bronchiolitis are kept in the separate room.

4. HOW LONG DOES BRONCHIOLITIS LAST ?

Mild bronchiolitis lasts for 1 week and acute lasts for 2-3 weeks but some symptoms might stay for months.

5. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRONCHIOLITIS AND BRONCHITIS ?

Bronchitis – It can be viral or bacterial.

Bronchiolitis – It is mostly viral.

Bronchitis – Chest tightness might occur in this.

Bronchiolitis – No chest pain but to feed a patient becomes difficult.

Bronchitis – Sputum test is very essential for diagnosis.

Bronchiolitis – Mucus test is very essential for diagnosis.

6. WHAT’S THE SUCCESS RATE OF BRONCHIOLITIS ?

It has about 94-95% success rate; only 4-5% death occurs due to bronchitis.  Talk to the doctor, early treatment can make a patient feel  comfortable and might control some serious problems in future.