Bronchiolitis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alonso Alvarado, M.D. [2]
Overview
The virus is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with nasal fluids, or by airborne droplets. Although RSV generally causes only mild symptoms in an adult, it can cause severe illness in an infant. Bronchiolitis is seasonal and appears more often in the fall and winter months. It is a very common reason for infants to be hospitalized during winter and early spring. It is estimated that by their first year, more than half of all infants have been exposed to RSV.
History and Symptoms
- Bronchiolitis should be suspected when acute onset of upper respiratory tract infection appears, followed by lower respiratory tract infection symptoms (wheezing, cough and shortness of breath) in a child younger than 2 years.[1]
- The incubation period of the virus is of 2-8 days; therefore symptoms begin within one week of contact with a symptomatic patient.[2]
- Patients usually start with symptoms of a mild upper respiratory infection which includes fever, cough and nasal discharge.[2]
- Symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection include:[1]
- Fever is usually not high; in case of high fever other causes should ruled out, such as bacterial infections.
- Apnea is a severe manifestation of RSV infection, more common in children under 3 months of age and premature infants.[2]
- Lethargy is also common as vomit can be secondary to cough and poor feeding secondary to tachypnea may lead to dehydration.[1]
- History of cyanosis is related with severe disease.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mandell, Gerald L.; Bennett, John E. (John Eugene); Dolin, Raphael. (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious disease. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wright M, Mullett CJ, Piedimonte G (2008). "Pharmacological management of acute bronchiolitis". Ther Clin Risk Manag. 4 (5): 895–903. PMC 2621418. PMID 19209271.
- ↑ Smyth RL, Openshaw PJ (2006). "Bronchiolitis". Lancet. 368 (9532): 312–22. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69077-6. PMID 16860701.