Bronchiolitis: Separating Fact From Fiction - WTOP

Bronchiolitis: Separating Fact From Fiction - WTOP
Oprah urging flu shot after ‘very serious’ pneumonia – and how to avoid a costly trip to the ER - Fox Business
For coughing up phlegm, water is key - Science News for Students

Posted: 30 Oct 2019 03:07 AM PDT

Bronchiolitis can be a terrifying word for families of young children. This common viral lung infection is notorious for causing a terrible cough lasting many worrisome nights, and an illness that can lead to hospitalization. However, while bronchiolitis is indeed an infection that can be dangerous to young children, there are many myths surrounding it that cause unneeded concern and unnecessary doctor visits. Avoid worry by learning the facts.

Bronchiolitis is an infection of the smallest lung tubes (called bronchioles) caused by a variety of virus types. Although RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, the reality is that many viruses can cause the spectrum of disease known as bronchiolitis. During the course of this disease, the virus attacks the cells lining the small lung tubes, causing irritation and inflammation. Once inflammation begins, the sensitive skin cells make a bunch of mucus that can clog the air tubes, triggering the well-known coughing and wheezing of bronchiolitis.

The reason bronchiolitis causes so much trouble is simply physics. If you have tiny tubes in your lungs, it takes a small amount of mucus to clog them up and make breathing difficult. The youngest children (aged 2 to 6 months) are most at risk of needing to be hospitalized for bronchiolitis. As you get older and physically bigger, more mucous production is required to clog the lung tubes and change lung function significantly. Once children reach the age of 24 months, viral bronchiolitis rarely leads to significant respiratory distress or hospitalization, since bigger lung tubes mean fewer problems.

[READ: What Is Bronchitis?]

Since bronchiolitis is a spectrum of a disease characterized entirely by mucous production, classic symptoms include a very runny nose and wet cough or wheeze. Most kids will also run a fever during the early part of the illness. The combination of snot and persisting cough can make eating difficult for small children, increasing the risk of dehydration during the peak days of the disease. The symptoms of bronchiolitis ramp up very quickly, with day three to day four being the most symptomatic. It is in the first few days of the illness that young kids need the most attention and care.

Fortunately, the vast majority of children with bronchiolitis can be safely and effectively treated at home. Home care focuses on snot removal and basic comfort measures. Using nasal saline spray and nasal suction is critical to support a child with bronchiolitis. Especially before mealtime and naps or bedtime, sucking out as much snot from the nose and mouth as possible will allow your child to rest comfortably and stay hydrated.

Over-the-counter fever reducers (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) are helpful to decrease fever and calm a child's respiration rate. Also, smaller and more frequent feedings are useful to keep a child hydrated when the child is ill.

Parents should watch closely for signs of respiratory distress (irritability, breathing more than 60 times per minute, increased fatigue) and dehydration (refusing to feed or peeing less). Respiratory distress and dehydration are the most common reasons that children will need medical support. If you are concerned about your child's breathing for any reason, it's time to call the doctor.

[Read: 12 Things You Should Know About Stomach Flu in Children.]

Many parents get frustrated that the cough and wheeze classic to bronchiolitis seems to last "forever." While kids develop symptoms rapidly, the resolution time (or time to return to normal) for viral bronchiolitis can take many weeks. Meanwhile, during this resolution phase, children can develop symptoms from a "new" cough or cold, perpetuating cold-like symptoms for seemingly months at a time. Patience is a virtue while supporting your child when they need it most. As cold and flu season begins to disappear, so will your child's cough and wheeze.

Although some past research suggested that if a child gets RSV that may increase the chances the child would develop asthma later, there doesn't appear to be a link between the two. More recent studies conducted during the last decade don't find any connection between getting RSV as a child and going on to develop asthma.

As a pediatrician, I see many children who continue to have sensitive lungs for many months after their initial bronchiolitis infection when respiratory illnesses strike. But as the bronchioles in their lungs continue to grow over time, these children are less susceptible to significant symptoms.

Finally, it's important to note that for children at the highest risk of RSV-related hospitalization, there is a vaccine available. Children who may qualify to receive this vaccine include those who are significantly premature or have a medical condition that directly affects respiratory function.

The RSV vaccine is not like other routine vaccines of childhood since it contains active antibodies against the virus to protect the baby from the illness. This type of protection requires monthly injections throughout the entire bronchitis season. Talk to your doctor about your baby's possible qualification for this protective medication.

[READ: Does My Child Have Strep Throat?]

If you are ever worried or concerned about your child during a respiratory illness, please call your pediatrician's office for advice. These illnesses can be tricky, and children can change very quickly. With the astute care that most parents provide, however, the majority of children with bronchiolitis can be managed happily and safely at home.

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Bronchiolitis: Separating Fact From Fiction originally appeared on usnews.com

Oprah urging flu shot after ‘very serious’ pneumonia – and how to avoid a costly trip to the ER - Fox Business

Posted: 30 Sep 2019 12:00 AM PDT

Oprah Winfrey is shutting down lingering rumors of a potential presidential run, telling British Vogue that she has zero interest in pursuing politics.

Oprah has some timely health advice: Get your flu shot.

The queen of all media revealed in a clip from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Monday that she was recently "very sick" with pneumonia, and stressed to fans they should take it very seriously.

"Don't play with it, get your flu shots. Get your pneumonia shots. It's nothing to play with. It takes people out. But I'm telling you, it changed the way I look at wellness," she told DeGeneres.

Winfrey, 65, who said she felt "a little rattling" in her chest, got sick after a trip overseas and thought she had a cold only to end up in the emergency room where doctors told her she had pneumonia. The media mogul revealed she was on antibiotics for week, but when they didn't relieve her symptoms she went back into the hospital for a CT scan, which resulted in a trip to a lung specialist.

Winfrey is the latest in a number of celebrities who have been diagnosed with the infection, which occurs when lungs become infected with bacteria or viruses that cause them to become inflamed. Symptoms include a cough, fever, chills and difficulty breathing. "TODAY" anchor Savannah Guthrie was absent from the show earlier this month for contracting a case of pneumonia. And Whoopi Goldberg had the infection in both lungs, she revealed in March, after her absence on "The View." She said it was near-deadly: "I came very close to leaving this earth," she said.

Savannah Guthrie was also out sick earlier this month when she told fans she had pneumonia. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for THR)

The vaping health crisis has also been linked to repertory illnesses in recent weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 450 people from 33 states that have been affected by mysterious cases of pneumonia linked to e-cigarettes.

Whoopi Goldberg said she "came very close from leaving this earth" after suffering with pneumonia earlier this year. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Take caution if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain associated with breathing, a persistent cough and an unrelenting fever, Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency care physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City told FOX Business.

"If you're coughing up mucus, phlegm with any blood mixed in, have a fever, it's vital to seek care in an emergency department," Glatter urged.

CDC data indicate that nearly 1 million people get hospitalized for pneumonia, and what's worse, 50,000 people die from it.

Pneumonia can result in a costly trip to urgent care or the emergency room which can range anywhere from $150 to $3,000 depending on how severe the symptoms are.

To reduce the risk of developing the infection, Glatter advises washing your hands frequently and thoroughly. He also suggests strengthening your immune system by getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods and exercising. Getting vaccines against diseases that might lead to pneumonia, like the flu, are also options, he said.

"Beginning antibiotics and antiviral medications in a timely fashion can be lifesaving in the setting of possible pneumonia," Glatter said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

For coughing up phlegm, water is key - Science News for Students

Posted: 20 Feb 2019 12:00 AM PST

(more about Power Words)

adhesion (syn. adhesiveness) The ability of a substance to adhere, or stick, to some other material. (in medicine) A bit of tissue that has inappropriately attached itself to another.

bacteria (singular: bacterium) Single-celled organisms. These dwell nearly everywhere on Earth, from the bottom of the sea to inside other living organisms (such as plants and animals).

biophysics The study of physical forces as they relate to living things. People who work in this field are known as biophysicists.

cell The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism. Typically too small to see with the unaided eye, it consists of a watery fluid surrounded by a membrane or wall. Depending on their size, animals are made of anywhere from thousands to trillions of cells. Most organisms, such as yeasts, molds, bacteria and some algae, are composed of only one cell.

cilia (singular cilium) Small hairlike features that occur on the surface of some cells and larger tissue structures. They can move and their wavelike motion can propel liquids to move in a particular direction. Cilia play an important role in many biological functions throughout the body.

cohesion (syn. cohesiveness) The ability of a substance to adhere, or stick, to itself.

colleague Someone who works with another; a co-worker or team member.

cystic fibrosis A life-threatening disease that causes a buildup of sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive tract and other regions of the body. A defective gene leads to the production of extra-thick mucus, which can foster lung infections and digestive problems. Although millions of people carry the CF gene, only people who inherit a copy from each of their parents will actually go on to develop cystic fibrosis.

defense (in biology) A natural protective action taken or chemical response that occurs when a species confront predators or agents that might harm it. (adj. defensive)

force Some outside influence that can change the motion of a body, hold bodies close to one another, or produce motion or stress in a stationary body.

gel A gooey or viscous material that can flow like a thick liquid.

germ Any one-celled microorganism, such as a bacterium or fungal species, or a virus particle. Some germs cause disease. Others can promote the health of more complex organisms, including birds and mammals. The health effects of most germs, however, remain unknown.

immune (adj.) Having to do with the immunity. (v.) Able to ward off a particular infection. Alternatively, this term can be used to mean an organism shows no impacts from exposure to a particular poison or process. More generally, the term may signal that something cannot be hurt by a particular drug, disease or chemical.

immune system The collection of cells and their responses that help the body fight off infections and deal with foreign substances that may provoke allergies.

infection A disease that can spread from one organism to another. It's usually caused by some type of germ.

Influenza (also known as flu) A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever and severe aching. It often occurs as an epidemic.

journal (in science) A publication in which scientists share their research findings with experts (and sometimes even the public). Some journals publish papers from all fields of science, technology, engineering and math, while others are specific to a single subject. The best journals are peer-reviewed: They send all submitted articles to outside experts to be read and critiqued. The goal, here, is to prevent the publication of mistakes, fraud or sloppy work.

link A connection between two people or things.

molecule An electrically neutral group of atoms that represents the smallest possible amount of a chemical compound. Molecules can be made of single types of atoms or of different types. For example, the oxygen in the air is made of two oxygen atoms (O₂), but water is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H₂O).

mucus A slimy substance produced in the lungs, nose, digestive system and other parts of the body to protect against infection. Mucus is made mainly of water but also includes salt and proteins such as mucins. Some animals use mucus for other purposes, such as to move across the ground or to defend themselves against predators.

organ (in biology) Various parts of an organism that perform one or more particular functions. For instance, an ovary is an organ that makes eggs, the brain is an organ that makes sense of nerve signals and a plant's roots are organs that take in nutrients and moisture.

oxygen A gas that makes up about 21 percent of Earth's atmosphere. All animals and many microorganisms need oxygen to fuel their growth (and metabolism).

nebulizer A medical device that produces a fine spray of liquid. It can be used to administer medicines to people as they inhale the spray into their lungs.

phlegm A thick, sticky mucus produced by the lungs. The body uses it to help carry germs and other unwanted materials out of the lungs.

physics The scientific study of the nature and properties of matter and energy. Classical physics is an explanation of the nature and properties of matter and energy that relies on descriptions such as Newton's laws of motion. Quantum physics, a field of study that emerged later, is a more accurate way of explaining the motions and behavior of matter. A scientist who works in such areas is known as a physicist.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences A prestigious journal publishing original scientific research, begun in 1914. The journal's content spans the biological, physical and social sciences. Each of the more than 3,000 papers it publishes each year, now, are not only peer reviewed but also approved by a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

pulmonology Someone who studies the lungs and treatment of lung disease. A doctor who works in this field is known as a pulmonologist.

salt A compound made by combining an acid with a base (in a reaction that also creates water). The ocean contains many different salts — collectively called "sea salt." Common table salt is a made of sodium and chlorine.

suffocate To be unable to breathe, or to cause a person or other organism to be unable to breathe.

transplant (in medicine) The replacement of a tissue or an organ with that from another organism. It is also a term for the material that will be transplanted.

viscous (n. viscosity) Adjective referring to something that is thick, sticky and hard to pour. Molasses and maple syrup are two examples of viscous liquids.

wave A disturbance or variation that travels through space and matter in a regular, oscillating fashion.

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