What are the symptoms of
acute bronchitis?
- Fever
- Painful cough
- Sore throat
- Production of thick, yellow mucus
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
What causes acute
bronchitis?
Bronchitis results from an
infection such as a cold or flu. The infection
inflames the bronchial tubes, which causes the
symptoms of bronchitis. Although acute bronchitis is
relatively common, some people are more prone to it
than others. People at a higher risk include
smokers, individuals with respiratory illnesses such
as asthma, and individuals exposed to high levels of
airborne pollutants.
Is acute bronchitis
dangerous?
Although bronchitis itself is not
dangerous, the infection that causes the bronchitis
may progress further into pneumonia. Bronchitis also
may aggravate the symptoms of asthma or other
breathing disorders. If a young child shows signs of
bronchitis, consult a doctor, who may watch for any
serious developments.
How is
acute bronchitis treated?
The treatment of acute bronchitis
depends on what caused it. Antibiotics can be used
to treat bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection,
but are completely ineffective for bronchitis caused
by a virus. In children, bronchitis or nonspecific
cough rarely warrants antibiotics. Occasionally, if
a cough has lasted more than 10 days and specific
bacteria are suspected, a round of antibiotics may
help. (Antibiotics do NOT help treat asthma
flare-ups, although they may help some other lung
diseases.)
Treatment of the bronchitis
symptoms often includes pain relievers for sore
throat, fever-reducing medications, cough
suppressants, and humid air to ease dryness and
cough. Check with your doctor before taking
medications to reduce a cough. Cough suppressants
may be recommended for nighttime use to enable a
good night's sleep, but may be discouraged during
the day to allow the body to cough out the mucus.
Can acute
bronchitis be avoided?
For individuals who frequently
develop acute bronchitis, the best way to avoid the
illness is to avoid contracting colds or
other
respiratory infections. To do this, wash your hands
frequently, avoid people with respiratory
infections, and eat and sleep well.
Smokers are
encouraged to stop smoking, since they have a higher
risk of developing both acute and chronic
bronchitis.
In children, one of the most
important steps is to keep them from breathing
Sinuses
are air-filled spaces in the skull that act as
extensions of the nasal passages. They are lined
with mucus membranes and small hair-like structures
that move secretions into the nose through small
channels. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses are the
sinuses most commonly infected. Infections of the
frontal sinuses are rare and have more potential for
complications. The diagnosis of sinusitis is most
often made by physical exam and history. X-rays of
the facial sinuses are occasionally needed.
