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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing lung anatomy 
Bronchioles and alveoli

Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection, often caused by a virus. It most frequently occurs in infants, commonly younger than 6 months of age. Typically, bronchiolitis occurs during the winter months.

Bronchiolitis starts out with symptoms similar to those of a common cold but then progresses to coughing and wheezing. Symptoms of bronchiolitis typically last for a week or two and then go away.

In some cases, especially if your child has an underlying health problem or is a significantly premature newborn, bronchiolitis can become severe and require hospitalization.

References
  1. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 76th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
  2. Piedra PA. Bronchiolitis in infants and children: Clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
  3. Watts KD, et al. Wheezing, bronchiolitis, and bronchitis. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
  4. Everard ML. Acute bronchiolitis and croup. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:119.
  5. Seiden JA, et al. Bronchiolitis: An evidence-based approach to management. Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 2009;10:75.
  6. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 8, 2010.
DS00481 Sept. 25, 2010

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