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Description
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages between
the nose and the lungs, including the windpipe or trachea and the
larger air tubes of the lung that bring air in from the trachea
(bronchi). It is usually caused by a viral infection, but can also
be caused by a bacterial infection and can heal without
complications. Acute bronchitis is most prevalent in winter. It
usually follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, and
can be accompanied by a secondary bacterial infection. It usually
resolves within two weeks, although the cough may persist longer.
Acute bronchitis, like any upper airway inflammatory process, can
increase a person's likelihood of developing pneumonia.
Anyone can get acute bronchitis, but infants, young children, and
the elderly are more likely to get the disease because people in
these age groups generally have weaker immune systems. People
suffering from fatigue, malnutrition or recovering from colds etc.
are all susceptible. Smokers and people with heart or other lung
diseases are also at higher risk of developing acute bronchitis.
Individuals exposed to chemical fumes or high levels of air
pollution also have a greater chance of developing acute bronchitis.
Causes and symptoms
Acute bronchitis usually begins with the symptoms of a cold, such
as a runny nose, sneezing, and dry cough. However, the cough soon
becomes deep and painful but later becomes productive. Coughing
brings up a greenish yellow phlegm. These symptoms may be
accompanied by a fever of up to 102°F (38.8°C). Wheezing after
coughing is common. It may also be caused from inhaling pollutants
such as smoke, dust, or chemical irritants.
In uncomplicated acute bronchitis, the fever and most other
symptoms, except the cough, disappear after three to five days.
Coughing may continue for several weeks. Acute bronchitis is often
complicated by a bacterial infection, in which case the fever and a
general feeling of illness persist. To be cured, the bacterial
infection should be treated with antibiotics.
Diagnosis
Initial diagnosis of bronchitis is based on observing the
patient's symptoms and health history. The physician will listen to
the patient's chest with a stethoscope for specific sounds that
indicate lung inflammation, such as moist crackling, and wheezing,
that indicates airway narrowing.
A sputum culture may be performed, particularly if the sputum is
green or has blood in it, to determine whether a bacterial infection
is present and to identify the disease-causing organism so that an
appropriate antibiotic can be selected. Normally, the patient will
be asked to cough deeply, then spit the material that comes up from
the lungs (sputum) into a cup. This sample is then grown in the
laboratory to determine which organisms are present. The results are
available in two to three days, except for tests for tuberculosis,
which can take as long as two months.
To better determine what type of obstructive lung disease a
patient has, the doctor may do a chest x ray, electrocardiogram (ECG),
and blood tests. An electrocardiogram is an instrument that is used
to measure the electrical activity of the heart and is useful in the
diagnosis of heart conditions. Other tests may be used to measure
how effectively oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the
lungs.
Treatment
When no secondary infection is present, acute bronchitis is
treated in the same way as the common cold. However, it is always
wise and advised to consult with your physician when such symptoms
are present. Home care includes drinking plenty of fluids, resting,
not smoking, increasing moisture in the air with a humidifier
(either cool or steam), and taking acetaminophen (Datril, Tylenol,
Panadol) for fever and pain. Aspirin should not be given to children
because of its association with the serious illness, Reye's
syndrome.
Cough suppressants are used only when the cough is dry and
produces no sputum. If the you are coughing up phlegm, the cough
should be allowed to continue. The purpose of the cough it to bring
up extra mucus and irritants from the lungs. When coughing is
suppressed, the mucus accumulates in the plugged airways and can
become a breeding ground for pneumonia bacteria.
Expectorant cough medicines, unlike cough suppressants, do not
stop the cough. Instead they are used to thin the mucus in the
lungs, making it easier to cough up. This type of cough medicine may
be helpful to individuals suffering from bronchitis. People who are
unsure about what type of medications are in over-the-counter cough
syrups should ask their pharmacist for an explanation.
If a secondary bacterial infection is present, the infection is
treated with an antibiotic. Patients need to take the entire amount
of antibiotic prescribed. Stopping the antibiotic early can lead to
a return of the infection.
Links:
MedlinePlus
American Lung Association
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