Acute viral inflammatory injury of the bronchioles
Aetiology
- Viral, most commonly due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Generally occurs in children under 1 year, most common in children under 6 months
Clinical presentation
Symptoms
- Viral URTI symptoms (coryzal symptoms) - running or snotty nose, sneezing, mucus in throat and watery eyes
- Dyspnoea
- Tachypnoea
- Poor feeding
- Mild fever (under 39ºC)
- Apnoeas
Signs
- Signs of respiratory distress
- Wheeze and crackles on auscultation
Management
- Supportive