BRONCHIOLITIS

BRONCHIOLITIS

Bronchiolitis is a clinical condition that occurs when the bronchioles, the smallest airways of the lungs, become blocked as a result of viral infection. It is especially seen in children under two years of age. This condition, caused by viruses, occurs frequently in winter and spring.

Bronchiollar, the smallest part of the lungs, is stimulated by viruses and causes edema in this area. As a result of this developing edema, mucous plugs form in the bronchioles. These plugs, which form in babies with small bronchioles, cause airway obstruction and cause serious conditions.

The causes of bronchiolitis are viruses.

• Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV)

• Adenovirus

• Influenza

• Parainfluenza viruses and mycoplasma bronchiolitis are caused. The main factor that causes bronchiolitis is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV occurs in epidemics in spring and winter. Epidemics become especially evident during rainy seasons.

A large part of the society encounters the RSV virus until the age of three. Generally, the first RSVinfection is severe and recurrent infections are mild. When children older than two years of age encounter RSV, bronchiolitis does not occur, but respiratory disease occurs. Bronchiolitis develops as a result of exposure to RSV in a child under the age of two.

What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?

• First symptoms: runny nose

• Cough

• Fever

• It is loss of appetite.

The infection progresses and in addition to the upper respiratory tract findings, bronchiolar involvement results

• Increased respiratory rate

• Wheezing

• Persistent cough

• Feeding difficulty occurs.

Breathing cessation in babies younger than two months and premature babies (apnea) might develop. In severe cases, the involvement of the nose wings in breathing adds to the difficult breathing situation. Drop in oxygen level (hypoxia)and bruising (cyanosis) may develop. Fever may not be seen in every case of bronchiolitis.

The diagnosis of bronchiolitis is made according to the history and physical examination findings. Blood tests and chest radiography have no place in diagnosis. Unnecessary laboratory examination should not be performed. Definitive diagnosis is made by isolating viruses from respiratory tract secretions.

In a patient with bronchiolitis;

• Breathing difficulty

• bruising on the skin

• Dark nasal discharge of yellow and green color

• Fever

• Decrease in the amount of urine

• Dry mouth

• If there are signs of decreased tears and the baby If it is less than 2-3 months old, urgent intervention is required.

Treatment;

Acute bronchiolitis treatment is supportive treatment.

The patient's respiratory distress should be relieved, hydration should be regulated and complications should be prevented.

We see that the drugs used in the treatment of bronchiolitis for many years are not recommended for treatment today. (American Children's Academy, 2014)

In children under two years of age;

• The effect of salbutamol treatment is sufficient. It was abandoned because it was seen that it was not present.

• Epinephrine treatment is not recommended.

• Corticosteroid treatment has no place.

• Antibiotic treatment is not given. If a bacterial factor is considered together with a viral cause, only then can it be given.

• Fluid can be given intravenously to patients who are not well hydrated and cannot take it orally.

PROTECTION:

• Feeding babies with breast milk

• Staying away from smoking environments

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• Frequent hand washing and the use of masks when necessary should be ensured.

• In high-risk babies,RSVmonoclonal antibody ( palivizumab) 15mg/kg can be given in the first year for a maximum of 5 months.

Bronchiolitis usually resolves within two to five days. It is observed that wheezing continues in some children. This process causes premature babies and lung and heart diseases. It may be prolonged in babies with �. Most of the time,RSV bronchiolitis presents with recurrent wheezing attacks. Symptoms related to bronchiolitis experienced in infancy may persist for years. The probability of asthma is high in children who had bronchitis during infancy.

• BRONCHIOLITIS IS A CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS.

• LUNG X-ray AND BLOOD EXAMINATIONS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE DIAGNOSIS. .

• BRONCHIOLITIS IS A CLINICAL PRESENTATION CAUSED BY VIRUSES.

• ANTIBIOTICS ARE NOT GIVEN IN THE TREATMENT. TREATMENT TO RELAX THE RESPIRATORY TRACT IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

• BRONCHIOLITIS - ASTHMA RELATIONSHIP SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

Key words;

• Bronchiolitis

• Viral Infections

• Asthma

 

 

 

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