Acute bronchitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What is Acute bronchitis?== | ==What is Acute bronchitis?== | ||
Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. | [[Bronchitis]] is [[inflammation]] of the main air passages to the [[lungs]]. [[Acute bronchitis]] may be short-lived, whereas chronic bronchitis lasts a long time and often recurs. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Acute bronchitis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Acute bronchitis?== | ||
The symptoms of either type of bronchitis may include: chest discomfort; cough that produces mucus (if it's yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection); fatigue; fever (usually low); shortness of breath worsened by exertion or mild activity; wheezing. | The symptoms of either type of [[bronchitis]] may include: chest discomfort; cough that produces [[mucus]] (if it's yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection); [[fatigue]]; [[fever]] (usually low); shortness of breath worsened by exertion or mild activity; [[wheezing]]. | ||
Even after acute bronchitis has cleared, you may have a dry, nagging cough that lingers for several weeks | Even after [[acute bronchitis]] has cleared, you may have a dry, nagging cough that lingers for several weeks. | ||
==What causes Acute bronchitis?== | ==What causes Acute bronchitis?== | ||
Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the airways.This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus. | [[Acute bronchitis]] generally follows a viral [[respiratory infection]]. At first, it affects your [[nose]], [[sinuses]], and [[throat]] and then spreads to the [[lungs]]. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) [[bacterial infection]] in the airways. This means that [[bacteria]] infect the [[airways]], in addition to the [[virus]]. | ||
The following things can make bronchitis worse: air pollution; allergies; certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling); infections. | The following things can make bronchitis worse: air pollution; allergies; certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling); infections. | ||
==Who is at risk for Acute bronchitis?== | ==Who is at risk for Acute bronchitis?== | ||
People at risk for acute bronchitis include: the elderly, infants, and young children; persons with heart or lung disease; smokers. | People at risk for [[acute bronchitis]] include: the elderly, infants, and young children; persons with heart or lung disease; smokers. | ||
==How do I know I have Acute bronchitis?== | ==How do I know I have Acute bronchitis?== | ||
The health care provider will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Abnormal sounds in the lungs called rales or other abnormal breathing sounds may be heard. | The health care provider will listen to your [[lungs]] with a [[stethoscope]]. Abnormal sounds in the [[lungs]] called [[rales]] or other abnormal breathing sounds may be heard. | ||
Tests may include: | Tests may include: | ||
*Chest x-ray | *[[Chest x-ray]] | ||
*Lung function tests provide information that is useful for diagnosis and your outlook. | *Lung function tests provide information that is useful for diagnosis and your outlook. | ||
*Pulse oximetry helps determine the amount of oxygen in your blood. This quick and painless test uses a device that is placed onto the end of your finger. Arterial blood gas is a more exact measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, but it requires a needle stick and is more painful. | *[[Pulse oximetry]] helps determine the amount of [[oxygen]] in your [[blood]]. This quick and painless test uses a device that is placed onto the end of your finger. [[Arterial blood gas]] is a more exact measurement of [[oxygen]] and [[carbon dioxide]] levels, but it requires a needle stick and is more painful. | ||
*Sputum samples may be taken to check for signs of inflammation or bacterial infection. | *Sputum samples may be taken to check for signs of [[inflammation]] or [[bacterial infection]]. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
Pneumonia can develop from | [[Pneumonia]] can develop from [[acute bronchitis]]. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
Call your doctor if: | Call your doctor if: | ||
*You have a cough most days or you have a cough that returns frequently | *You have a [[cough]] most days or you have a [[cough]] that returns frequently | ||
*You are coughing up blood | *You are coughing up [[blood]] | ||
*You have a high fever or shaking chills | *You have a high [[fever]] or shaking [[chills]] | ||
*You have a low-grade fever for 3 or more days | *You have a low-grade [[fever]] for 3 or more days | ||
*You have thick, greenish mucus, especially if it has a bad smell | *You have thick, greenish [[mucus]], especially if it has a bad smell | ||
*You feel short of breath or have chest pain | *You feel short of breath or have [[chest pain]] | ||
*You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart or lung disease | *You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart or lung disease | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
You DO NOT need antibiotics for acute bronchitis caused by a virus. The infection will generally go away on its own within 1 week. Take the following steps for some relief: | You DO NOT need [[antibiotics]] for [[acute bronchitis]] caused by a [[virus]]. The [[infection]] will generally go away on its own within 1 week. Take the following steps for some relief: | ||
*Do not smoke | *Do not smoke | ||
*Drink plenty of fluids | *Drink plenty of fluids | ||
*Rest | *Rest | ||
*Take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have a fever. DO NOT give aspirin to children | *Take [[aspirin]] or [[acetaminophen]] (Tylenol) if you have a [[fever]]. DO NOT give [[aspirin]] to children | ||
*Use a humidifier or steam in the bathroom | *Use a humidifier or steam in the bathroom | ||
If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways if you are wheezing. If your doctor thinks that you have a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed or recommended. | If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an [[inhaler]] to open your [[airways]] if you are [[wheezing]]. If your doctor thinks that you have a secondary [[bacterial infection]], [[antibiotics]] may be prescribed. Most of the time, [[antibiotics]] are not needed or recommended. | ||
For any [[bronchitis]], the most important step you can take is to QUIT smoking. If [[bronchitis]] is caught early enough, you can prevent the damage to your [[lungs]]. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Acute bronchitis== | ==Where to find medical care for Acute bronchitis== | ||
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==Prevention of Acute bronchitis== | ==Prevention of Acute bronchitis== | ||
*DO NOT smoke. | *DO NOT smoke. | ||
*Get a yearly flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine as directed by your doctor. | *Get a yearly [[flu vaccine]] and a [[pneumococcal vaccine]] as directed by your doctor. | ||
*Reduce your exposure to air pollution. | *Reduce your exposure to [[air pollution]]. | ||
*Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other infections. | *Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading [[viruses]] and other [[infections]]. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ||
For acute bronchitis, symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying lung disorder. However, a dry, hacking cough can linger for a number of months | For [[acute bronchitis]], symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying lung disorder. However, a dry, hacking [[cough]] can linger for a number of months. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 19:17, 12 January 2010
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Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer
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What is Acute bronchitis?
Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Acute bronchitis may be short-lived, whereas chronic bronchitis lasts a long time and often recurs.
What are the symptoms of Acute bronchitis?
The symptoms of either type of bronchitis may include: chest discomfort; cough that produces mucus (if it's yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection); fatigue; fever (usually low); shortness of breath worsened by exertion or mild activity; wheezing. Even after acute bronchitis has cleared, you may have a dry, nagging cough that lingers for several weeks.
What causes Acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the airways. This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus.
The following things can make bronchitis worse: air pollution; allergies; certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling); infections.
Who is at risk for Acute bronchitis?
People at risk for acute bronchitis include: the elderly, infants, and young children; persons with heart or lung disease; smokers.
How do I know I have Acute bronchitis?
The health care provider will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Abnormal sounds in the lungs called rales or other abnormal breathing sounds may be heard.
Tests may include:
- Chest x-ray
- Lung function tests provide information that is useful for diagnosis and your outlook.
- Pulse oximetry helps determine the amount of oxygen in your blood. This quick and painless test uses a device that is placed onto the end of your finger. Arterial blood gas is a more exact measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, but it requires a needle stick and is more painful.
- Sputum samples may be taken to check for signs of inflammation or bacterial infection.
Possible complications
Pneumonia can develop from acute bronchitis.
When to seek urgent medical care
Call your doctor if:
- You have a cough most days or you have a cough that returns frequently
- You are coughing up blood
- You have a high fever or shaking chills
- You have a low-grade fever for 3 or more days
- You have thick, greenish mucus, especially if it has a bad smell
- You feel short of breath or have chest pain
- You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart or lung disease
Treatment options
You DO NOT need antibiotics for acute bronchitis caused by a virus. The infection will generally go away on its own within 1 week. Take the following steps for some relief:
- Do not smoke
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Rest
- Take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have a fever. DO NOT give aspirin to children
- Use a humidifier or steam in the bathroom
If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways if you are wheezing. If your doctor thinks that you have a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed or recommended.
For any bronchitis, the most important step you can take is to QUIT smoking. If bronchitis is caught early enough, you can prevent the damage to your lungs.
Where to find medical care for Acute bronchitis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Acute bronchitis
Prevention of Acute bronchitis
- DO NOT smoke.
- Get a yearly flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine as directed by your doctor.
- Reduce your exposure to air pollution.
- Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other infections.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
For acute bronchitis, symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying lung disorder. However, a dry, hacking cough can linger for a number of months.