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Bronchitis
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a condition that develops when the airways
in the lungs, called bronchial tubes, become inflamed and
cause coughing, often with mucus production. Bronchitis
can be acute (short-term)
or chronic (long-term).
Acute bronchitis, which is very common, usually results,
from an infection, and may be contagious. Most people
recover after a few days or weeks.
Chronic bronchitis is defined as lasting for at least
three months and returning at least two years in a row.
In chronic bronchitis, breathing can be more difficult
because the airway lining stays inflamed, which leads to
swelling and more mucus production.
Causes
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by airway
inflammation from viral infections, such as the cold,
influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus RSV, or
COVID-19 viruses. Occasionally, a bacterial infection can
cause acute bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis is a frequent symptom, along
with emphysema and asthma, in patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are a number
of risk factors for chronic bronchitis:
-
Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
(cigarette smoke from someone else)
-
Older age
-
Exposure to fumes or certain kinds of dust
-
A family history of COPD
-
A history of respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic
fibrosis, or bronchiecstasis.
-
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Chronic bronchitis does not increase the risk of COVID-19;
however, it does increase the risk of complications after
getting COVID-19.
Prevention
Taking steps such as the following may prevent
bronchitis or lower your chances of getting it again.
-
Quit smoking if you smoke.
-
Avoid fumes, air pollution, or secondhand smoke (cigarette
smoke from someone else).
-
Get the flu shot every year.
-
Get the pneumonia
vaccine when
appropriate, based on your age or risk factors.
-
Get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots at the
recommended times.
Symptoms
The symptoms are the same for both acute and chronic
bronchitis:
-
Cough with mucus
-
Chest pain
-
Tiredness
-
Low fever of below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
-
Shortness of breath
-
Wheezing
Symptoms of acute cases clear on their own after 2 − 3
weeks. With chronic bronchitis, a productive cough can
last three months or longer.
When to see a doctor
See your healthcare provider if your cough does not go away
after 2 − 3 weeks, gets worse, or if you have trouble
breathing.
To diagnose bronchitis, your healthcare provider will do a
physical exam and ask about your medical history and
symptoms. Your provider may also order a blood
test to look for signs of infection, or a chest X-ray to
check whether your lungs and bronchial tubes look normal.
These additional tests are required because cough is a
symptom for many other conditions, such
as pneumonia, COVID-19, gastroesophageal reflux(GERD),
and asthma.
Bronchitis has also been linked with other diseases such
as pneumonia, which includes other symptoms like high fever
(100.4 degrees or above), fast breathing, and a higher heart
rate. A history of wheezing and coughing is linked to
asthma. Two of three people who had bronchitis at least
twice in five years also had asthma.
Treatment
Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis often goes away on its own without
treatment. However, you can take steps at home to feel
better.
-
Use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines containing
dextromethorphan or guaifenesin to possibly relieve
cough symptoms or to loosen mucus.
-
Drink hot tea or water with honey.
-
Suck on throat lozenges.
-
Keep a humidifier nearby.
-
Use inhaled medicines such as albuterol, if prescribed.
They may relieve symptoms.
Healthcare providers typically prescribe antibiotics only if
they find that you have a bacterial infection, which is more
common in young children. If you are taking any prescribed
medicines or have other diseases, talk to your healthcare
provider before taking any over-the-counter medicines.
Chronic bronchitis
The goal of the treatment for chronic bronchitis is to help
you breathe better and control your symptoms. Your
healthcare provider may talk to you about:
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Quitting smoking
-
Taking medicines to help clear your airways or
prevent symptoms from getting worse
-
Oxygen therapy to help you breathe better
-
Pulmonary rehabilitation to learn breathing
techniques such as pursed-lip breathing and to help you
prevent symptoms from getting worse
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