Acute bronchiolitis

**Definition:** An acute disease of the bronchioles, commonly caused by an infection with a bacteria or viral source. This disease is characterised by inflammation of the bronchioles and coryza. This disease presents with cough, wheezing, tachypnoea, fever, or chest retraction. Transmission is by inhalation of infected respiratory secretions. Confirmation is by identification of the infectious agent in a sputum or blood sample.