Acute bronchiolitis
Acute bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that causes the tiny breathing tubes in an infant's lungs to become inflamed and blocked with mucus.
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Acute bronchiolitis specifically affects the bronchioles, which are the smallest, branching air passages deep inside the lungs. When these tiny tubes become infected, they swell up and fill with sticky mucus, making it harder for air to flow in and out.
This condition almost exclusively happens in babies and young children under two years old because their small, narrow airways are easily blocked by even a little bit of swelling or mucus. It is most common during the winter months and typically starts like a regular cold before moving deeper into the chest.
Common Symptoms
- A runny nose and mild cough.
- Wheezing, which is a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing.
- Rapid or labored breathing, where the chest muscles seem to pull in with every breath.
- Fussiness or irritability.
- Difficulty feeding or poor appetite.
- Short bursts of fever.