Bronchiolitis is an inflammatory condition that develops as a result of obstruction of the small airways of the lungs. It is most commonly seen in infancy. Bronchiolitis is a clinical condition caused by viruses that develops suddenly.
Which viruses cause bronchiolitis?
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Respiratory syncytial virus RSV)
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Rhinovirus
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Influenza
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Parainfluenza
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Adenoviruses are viruses that can cause bronchiolitis. Among these viruses, the main viruses that cause bronchiolitis are RSV and Rhinoviruses.
Bronchiolitis caused by viruses usually heals without leaving any sequelae. It has been noted that this is not the case in cases of bronchiolitis caused by RSV. The fact that children who have frequent wheezing attacks in clinical studies and follow-ups have a history of viral bronchiolitis in infancy has caused this issue to come to the fore.
What is the feature of the RSV virus, which is held responsible for the development of acute bronchiolitis and asthma? How is it transmitted?
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RSV virus progresses in the form of epidemics in winter and spring
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The only source of the virus is humans.
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Infected secretions are important in the transmission of the virus.
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Immunity after RSV infection is not long-lasting. Recurrent infections are seen.
How does RSV infection progress?
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Infection can be seen at any age.
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While it is seen as an upper respiratory tract infection in older children and adults
-Premature babies
-Infants
-In patients with compromised immune systems, it progresses as a serious lower respiratory tract infection.
Is RSV infection alone responsible for recurrent wheezing in babies?
It is not possible to give a clear answer to these questions. Rhinoviruses have been shown to cause wheezing. The role of other viruses in the formation of this condition is not fully known.
Intensive studies on this subject in recent years have shown that bronchiolitis in infancy increases the susceptibility to asthma in later ages. A baby who has a wheezing attack due to viruses in the first three years of life The incidence of asthma in children and adults at older ages was found to be higher compared to children without it. Viral respiratory infections are important in infancy. Both Rhinovirus and RSV virus infections predispose to asthma when acquired in infancy.
It is accepted that if RSV or Rhinovirus infection in babies of families with a genetic predisposition to asthma progresses severely, these children may be at risk of developing asthma in the future.
HOW SHOULD PROTECTION FROM VIRAL INFECTIONS BE?
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Frequent hand washing
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Avoiding crowds
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Paying attention to hygiene
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It can be summarized as preventing passive smoking.
With the introduction of the RSV vaccine, it is thought that this problem can be partially solved. It should be noted that severe RSV bronchiolitis is a risk factor for asthma
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