Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection among infants. It can cause coughing, wheezing, and a hard time with breathing. Adults can get it, too, but it’s very rare and usually related to other infections or injuries.
It happens when small breathing tubes in the lungs called
bronchioles become infected. This causes the tubes to clog up with mucus so there's not enough room for air to get in and out of the lungs.
Symptoms
The first signs look a lot like a cold and includes:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Fever
- Stuffy nose
- Less appetite
The symptoms may get
worse over the next few days, including
- Faster breathing
- Wheezing
- Labored breathing and grunting
- Trouble drinking, sucking, swallowing
- Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, crying without tears, not peeing as often
- Vomiting
- Sluggish or tired appearance
- Constant coughing
- Pause in breathing for more than 15 seconds
Keywords: bronchiolitis; bronchiolitis+
