Prognosis

In general, viral bronchiolitis is a mild condition that is self-limiting and resolves within a few days.

However, studies have demonstrated that a significant proportion of infants with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis go on to develop recurrent wheezing; and rhinovirus has been increasingly studied and shown to have an association with recurrent wheezing and a diagnosis of asthma.[139]​[140]​[141]​[142]​[143]​ Risk factors such as family history of asthma increase the risk of a future asthma diagnosis.[140]​[144]​ One large retrospective population-based study from Spain found the rate of recurrent wheezing or asthma to be higher when bronchiolitis occurred after the first 6 months of life.[145]​

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