What is bronchiolitis?

Also known as: viral bronchiolitis, RSV bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection/inflammation affecting the small tubes (air passages-lower airways-bronchioles) to the lungs which usually affects children younger than 2 years of age, and which sometimes results in their hospitalization. The infection/inflammation causes swelling and secretions (mucus) that partially or completely block the bronchioles.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM