Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory tract caused by an infection that affects the tiny airways, called the bronchioles, which lead to the lungs. It occurs when an infectious agent — usually a virus — enters the respiratory system and makes its way to the bronchioles, causing them to become inflamed and swollen. It most often occurs in young children, commonly between 3 and 6 months of age. For the first few days, the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold which includes a stuffy and runny nose and sometimes a slight fever. In later stages, there may be coughing, wheezing, difficult breathing and rapid heart beat. Severe and untreated bronchiolitis may cause cyanosis, dehydration, fatigue and respiratory failure.

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