Key Points

• Acute bronchiolitis is an epidemic respiratory disease caused primarily by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which affects about one-third of children under 2 years of age each season. Other causative agents include parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and others. The virus spreads through saliva, sneezing, coughing, contaminated objects, and hands. Thus, a cold in a child or adult can lead to bronchiolitis in an infant.

• Most cases, diagnosed primarily based on clinical criteria, are managed on an outpatient basis by general practitioners and pediatricians. However, it is the reason for a very high number of visits to hospital emergency departments, with a peak during the second half of December. It is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants under 1 year of age.

• Currently, prevention relies primarily on hygiene measures: thorough handwashing by anyone who comes into contact with an infant, regular ventilation of the room (at least 10 minutes a day), avoiding contact with people who have colds and confined public spaces (such as shopping malls and public transportation whenever possible), and regular cleaning of objects the infant comes into contact with (toys, pacifiers, bottles, and utensils…).