It can be easy to mix up bronchiolitis and bronchitis, as these health conditions have very similar names, both affect lung function, and both often result from viral infections. However, there are some key differences between bronchiolitis and bronchitis, and understanding these distinctions is vital to properly managing your health.
Airways play a crucial role in breathing, as they are responsible for transferring air to and from the lungs. Both bronchiolitis and bronchitis involve airway inflammation, which can make it harder to clear mucus from the lungs. With bronchiolitis, small airways called bronchioles become inflamed, while bronchitis affects larger airways known as bronchi.
Bronchiolitis typically occurs in infants and very young children. On the other hand, older children and adults are most likely to develop bronchitis.
Healthy children and adults do not always require treatment for these conditions. In many cases, symptoms will resolve on their own after a few weeks, during which time bed rest, non-prescription medication, and home remedies are encouraged.
While the effects are often mild, people with underlying health conditions may experience more serious effects. In this case, it is important to be vigilant about worsening symptoms, specifically when it comes to breathing. This is especially true of bronchiolitis, as parents are urged to seek medical attention for their children if they notice significantly laboured breathing.