Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection among infants. It can cause coughing, wheezing, and a hard time breathing. While most cases can be treated at home, it’s also the leading reason infants are admitted to a hospital. Adults can get it, too, but it’s very rare and usually related to other infections or injuries.
It happens when small breathing tubes in the lungs called bronchioles to become infected. This causes the tubes to clog up with mucus so there’s not enough room for air to get in and out of the lungs. It usually affects children younger than 2 years old in winter and early spring.