Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that affects children younger than 2 years old. It causes the airways (bronchioles) in your child’s lungs to narrow, which makes breathing difficult. If your child develops this infection, you may notice they have symptoms similar to a common cold (runny nose, cough) in addition to noisy breathing (wheezing).

The infection is seasonal. It’s more likely to occur during the winter and early spring.

Bronchiolitis isn’t usually serious, but it can be. If your child develops this infection, monitor their breathing and contact a healthcare provider if they have trouble breathing.

How common is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection among children younger than 2 years old.

Is bronchiolitis contagious?

The viruses that cause bronchiolitis are contagious. These viruses spread through respiratory droplets (saliva or mucus) from someone’s mouth or nose. When someone sneezes or coughs, these droplets become airborne and spread from person to person or stick to frequently touched surfaces or objects.

What is the difference between bronchiolitis and bronchitis?

Bronchiolitis and bronchitis are two conditions that both sound similar and have similar symptoms. A virus causes both conditions, which target the airways in your lungs. Bronchitis affects the bronchi, or the larger airways. Bronchiolitis affects your smaller airways (bronchioles). Bronchitis usually affects older children and adults, while bronchiolitis is more common in younger children.