What is bronchiolitis: symptoms, causes and treatment

• Madrid Madrid hires 350 reinforcement toilets due to the increase in cases of bronchiolitis

This winter bronchiolitis has arrived with force and the increase in cases is significant after the elimination of the use of masks.

Such is the situation that the Community of Madrid has authorized the hiring of some 350 reinforcement health professionals in public hospitals.

What is bronchiolitis?

(

RSV) is the main cause of bronchiolitis in children.

This virus is a common virus that can be caught repeatedly throughout life.

Bronchiolitis is an infection of the

finer

of the lungs (bronchioles) that can appear at any time of the year, although it is more frequent during the winter months and at the beginning of spring (specifically, between the months of November and March or April).

Who is affected more?

Bronchiolitis mainly affects young children and babies, with

being the most at risk of hospitalization.

What are the symptoms?

Bronchiolitis

causes inflammation and congestion in the small airways of the lungs, known as bronchioles

It usually begins with symptoms similar to those of a common cold, but lasts for a long time and evolves with a persistent cough, nasal congestion, wheezing, fever, or breathing problems.

When to go to the doctor?

Experts recommend

if it is seen that the child has no appetite or does not want to drink water, wheezing is heard, has difficulty breathing, lethargy or a bluish color on the skin, lips or nails, according to the Mayo Clinic. .

What treatment is there?

Since the main cause of bronchiolitis is a virus, antibiotics are not effective.

Thus, to treat bronchiolitis, as with other viral infections, doctors often opt for treatments that relieve symptoms.

It is advisable to drink a lot of fluids or apply drops of saline solutions to clear the airways, among other tips.

Are there risk factors?

Although the virus tends to affect children under the age of two to a greater extent, there are factors that can increase the risk of contracting the virus, such as having a heart or lung condition or having low defenses.

Prevention measures to avoid contracting the virus -since it spreads through the air between affected people- include washing your hands frequently (especially before touching a baby, especially if you have a cold), wearing a mask or, in In the event that a child has bronchiolitis, prevent them from leaving the house if it is not necessary so that the virus does not spread.

Is there a vaccine for bronchiolitis?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent bronchiolitis.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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