2023-10-20 09:11:11
And yes, bronchiolitis does not only affect infants. And unlike the latter (infected with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus), in adults, the disease can have a bacterial or inflammatory origin. In the latter case, it is then a real chronic illness.
Bronchiolitis: can adults get it?
The bronchiolitis can occur in adulthood. This condition corresponds to a inflammation des bronchioles (terminal branches of the bronchi). The disease is characterized by wheezing, coughing and the secretion of mucus that clogs the lungs.
Just like infants, adults may be affected by acute infectious bronchiolitis. In addition to respiratory signs, the patient presents with the usual cold symptoms as well as a mild fever. This mild illness usually goes away on its own within 10 days.
More rarely, bronchiolitis is a chronic inflammatory disease. There are several: smoker’s bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP).
Symptoms: how does bronchiolitis manifest in adults?
Bronchiolitis corresponds to inflammation of the bronchioles. Whatever the cause, the following signs are always present:
- A wheezing ;
- A dry cough ;
- A mucus secretion which obstructs the respiratory tract;
- A deterioration of general condition.
- When it is acute bronchiolitis of infectious origin, other signs are associated: obstruction and runny nose, fever, etc.
In case of chronic inflammatory bronchiolitisthe symptoms appear more gradually:
- Smoker’s bronchiolitis: breathing difficulties, shortness of breath.
- Bronchiolitis obliterans : shortness of breath on exercise, permanent and irreversible increase in the caliber of the bronchi associated with pulmonary fibrosis (bronchiectasis), ventilation disorders, reduction in the quantity of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia).
- Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia or BOOP : crackling rales, fever, weight loss, shortness of breath.
Chronic inflammatory bronchiolitis can last several months or even years and lead to respiratory failure.
Causes: what causes bronchiolitis in adults?
Acute infectious bronchiolitis is most often of origin viral. Adults are most often immunized once morest Respiratory Syncytial Virus (VRS) responsible for bronchiolitis in infants. However, other viruses (such as that of flu in particular) can cause bronchiolitis in adults.
More rarely, bronchiolitis is of origin bacterial particularly among immunocompromised patients.
Transmission of infectious bronchiolitis occurs through contact (direct or indirect) with nasopharyngeal secretions of an infected person.
Chronic inflammatory bronchiolitis has other etiologies:
- Bronchiolitis obliterans may be the consequence of a lung transplanta bone marrow transplant , inhalation of toxic gases… Additionally, the disease is common in people who suffer from other chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia or BOOP can develop following recurrent respiratory tract infectionsl’inhalation of allergensSometimes without identified cause (idiopathic). People aged over 50 are most at risk.
- Smoker’s bronchiolitis is linked to smoking. The disease results from the accumulation in the bronchioles and alveoli of pigmented macrophages (immune cells that are not pigmented in non-smokers).
Bronchiolitis in adults: what to do?
In the event of suggestive signs, it is better to consult the doctor who will conduct a clinical examination and auscultation of the respiratory tract. For example, he can observe the bilateral crackles.
Using a swab in the nose, he takes nasal discharge to carry out a rapid antigen test and determine if it is a virus.
A oximetry is necessary to quantify the blood oxygenation rate. If these rates are insufficient, a chest x-ray s’impose.
If the doctor suspects a chronic bronchitisthe diagnosis is established by a chest scan and by a surgical lung biopsy.
Bronchiolitis in adults: when to consult?
You should definitely make an appointment with your doctor if:
- THE symptoms persist or even worsen for more than a week;
- you present a high fever ;
- you present difficulty breathingcrackling groans or marked shortness of breath.
Treatments: how to treat bronchiolitis in adults?
- The acute infectious bronchiolitis, does not require any specific treatment. THE regular blowing and nose washes with physiological serum are sufficient. It is possible to use the paracetamol in case of pain or fever. Be sure to keep your back straight and elevated, especially at night when lying down, to make breathing easier. Hospitalization is necessary only for serious cases (in elderly or immunocompromised patients or those suffering from respiratory or cardiac disease).
However, if the infection lasts beyond 8 days, a bacterial infection is possible and antibiotics may be prescribed.
- Regarding chronic bronchiolitis, follow-up by a pulmonologist is essential. The administration of corticosteroids and D’immunosuppressants is often necessary (especially in cases of very constructive bronchiolitis). However, the effectiveness of these treatments remains limited.
If bronchiolitis is the consequence of smoking, a weaning s’impose.
Finally, if bronchiolitis is due to exposure to toxic fumes, exposure should be eliminated.
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