Bronchitis happens when your bronchial tubes, the pathways that carry air into your lungs, get sore and swollen. This condition is called inflammation.
Acute BronchitisBronchitis happens when your bronchial tubes, the pathways that carry air into your lungs, get sore and swollen. This condition is called inflammation.When bronchitis is "acute," that means the inflammation lasts for just a short time, generally less than a few weeks. Though not usually dangerous, it can make you cough a lot and make it harder for you to breathe.CausesAcute bronchitis is usually caused by the same viruses that cause common colds. These viruses attack the inside lining of your bronchial tubes, causing swelling and irritation, and making mucus.Viruses that cause acute bronchitis spread from person to person when an infected person coughs into the air. You can get the virus by breathing it in or by touching a surface that has the virus on it.Other possible causes of acute bronchitis include:Bacterial infectionFungal infectionExposure to things like smoke, dust, or fumes that irritate your lungs, orStomach acid that flows backward and gets down into the bronchial tubes, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERDSymptomsThe most common symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough. The cough may be dry or it may make clear or yellow-to-green mucus. Thick and cloudy mucus does not mean you have a bacterial infection.Other symptoms of acute bronchitis may include:Low feverWheezingChest tenderness, andShortness of breathThese other symptoms usually go away after about 10 days, but your cough may last for a few weeks.DiagnosisYour doctor may diagnose acute bronchitis if you have a cough and other symptoms. He or she may ask about cold or flu symptoms, if you smoke, and if you are exposed to smoke or other things that irritate your lungs.Some things your doctor may do include:Listening to your chest with a stethoscopeDoing a chest X-rayChecking how much oxygen is in your bloodUsing a microscope to look for bacteria in any mucus that you cough up, andDoing blood tests to look for signs of infectionTreatmentIn most cases, acute bronchitis goes away on its own. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, so they are usually not needed unless your doctor thinks you have a bacterial infection.The best way to treat your bronchitis is to:Get lots of rest.Drink plenty of fluids.Use a humidifier.Breathe in warm, moist air to loosen mucus.Take over-the-counter cough and cold medicines that are approved by your doctor.Use an inhaler to open up your bronchial tubes if you are wheezing.Prevention: What you can doOne of the best ways to prevent acute bronchitis is to wash your hands frequently.If you smoke, you should quit, because smoking makes it easier for viruses or bacteria to get into your bronchial tubes. Smoking also keeps you from healing well.These other steps should help, too:Avoid secondhand smoke.Avoid people who have a cold or the flu.Wear a mask when you are exposed to things like smoke, dust, or fumes.Get a flu shot every year.Ask your doctor if you should get the pneumonia vaccine.Call your doctor if you have a cough or other cold symptoms that last more than 10 days.What we have learnedAcute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. True or False? The answer is True. It is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold.The most common symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough. True or False? The answer is True. Other symptoms include low fever, wheezing, and chest tenderness.There are no ways to prevent getting acute bronchitis. True or False? The answer is False. One way to prevent it is to wash your hands often. Another is to quit smoking if you smoke.
Date Last Reviewed: 08/01/2020
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