Question

which of the following is the type of infection that usually occurs as an epidemic that involves the small airways of the lungs, is most often seen in young children and caused by the respiratory syncytial virus?
whooping cough
acute bronchiolitis
acute bronchiectasis
epiglottitis

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Whooping cough (pertussis) is caused by Bordetella pertussis, not Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), so it's incorrect.
• Acute Bronchiolitis: It affects the small airways (bronchioles) of the lungs, is common in young children, and is most often caused by RSV. This matches the description.
• Acute Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition involving airway dilation, not an epidemic in young children caused by RSV.
• Epiglottitis affects the epiglottis, is often bacterial (e.g., Haemophilus influenzae), and not related to RSV or small airways of the lungs in the described way.

Answer:

B. Acute Bronchiolitis