BronchitisWhat are the Symptoms and Treatments

Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchi (airways) within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or other causes.

The thin mucous lining of these airways can become irritated and swollen.

The cells that make up this lining may leak fluids in response to the inflammation.

Coughing is a reflex that works to clear secretions from the lungs. Often the discomfort of a severe cough leads you to seek medical treatment.

Both adults and children can get bronchitis. Symptoms are similar for both.

Infants usually get bronchiolitis, which involves the smaller airways and causes symptoms similar to asthma.

via eMedicineHealth.com.

Around twenty million prescriptions for infections of the respiratory tract are written every year. The common diagnoses include URIs, otitis media, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and acute bronchitis; and take note, this is happening in the US alone. If you try to combine all prescriptions around the world, perhaps it can reach to billions.

Studies have shown that around 70% of adults and children diagnosed with acute bronchitis receive unnecessary antibiotics. Some clinical studies were documented showing primary care physicians prescribing antibiotics though literature suggests non-prescription of antibiotics in the case of acute bronchitis.

At present, there are a growing number of patients developing antibiotic resistance. Experts in the field of infectious disease claim that the scenario is rapidly increasing and that it is because of the unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions made by the physicians. If this kind of approach is duplicated over and over again, the entire world will be gravely affected.

Adult patients with acute bronchitis but with no underlying pathology are very much different from patients having COPD. The latter is usually treated with antibiotics. Since most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viral infections, antibiotic therapy is not recommended. Viral bronchitis is characterized by purulent sputum which definitely indicates that there is no bacterial infection. With the right supportive care, acute bronchitis will disappear in a maximum period of seven days. If symptoms worsen after seven days, this is still considered as a non-viral course of action, but the patient can already use antibiotics.

Most patients with acute bronchitis complain about their non-productive and annoying cough. Physicians usually give aerosolized bronchodilators to reduce coughing. Normal patients are allowed to use bronchodilators for a couple of days.

Not all patients need antibiotics, especially in the case of bronchitis. There are however, certain exceptions to the use of antibiotics. Here are some of the situations:

1. Ten days of protracted cough – only a small number of patients having viral bronchitis develop protracted cough; and if a 48 hour trial using bronchodilator does not show cough relief, the prescription of an antibiotic is quite reasonable. The pathogens causing the protracted cough can include mycoplasma pneumoniae, bordetella pertussis, and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The pathogens mentioned are vulnerable to antibiotics such as macrolide. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic is azithromycin because it only has few side effects compared to erythromycin. You will be prescribed to continue with azithromycin for at least five days which can cost around $38.

2. Bronchitis patients with aggravating symptoms. If this is the case, the patient must be re-evaluated for possible bacterial infection. Remember that acute bronchitis is a viral infection that disappears after five to seven days; and if you observe that the symptoms are getting worse, you must tell your doctor immediately.
 
3. Patients with underlying cystic fibrosis and COPD. Patients having cystic fibrosis tend to have staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as gram-negative infections.  Patients with COPD often need antibiotic to treat haemophilus influenzae and streptococcus pneumoniae.

4. A viral influenza outbreak can complicate how acute bronchitis is treated. This is important when the flu season begins. During this season, bacterial complications are common among adults. And if your acute bronchitis worsens after seven to ten days, you might be given an antibiotic.

These are four special cases when acute bronchitis can be given antibiotics, but under normal conditions, the prescription of these drugs must not be made.

Educating the patient is a very important matter. They often have misconceptions as to the use of antibiotics. Physicians and doctors should show their expertise and since they are the ones equipped with the right knowledge, they must educate their patients in the proper use of antibiotics. Try to tell them that not all illnesses or diseases require the use of antibiotics. Once your patients are aware of this important fact, they may not ask for any antibiotic, not unless the situation calls for its use.

As patients, you should not expect an antibiotic prescription every time you visit the doctor. Be thankful if antibiotics are not required because you can cut your medicine costs. Instead, you can use the money to buy vitamins that will make your body strong and healthy to avoid diseases such as acute bronchitis.

Each person is looking for a sign that may have a significant meaning to his life. When he wants something and is not sure whether he will pursue it or not, he would usually stop and ask for a certain sign. Even when the Lord Jesus was born, the sign was a star that led the magi to his manger. Different signs for different events or happenings take place everyday.

What if you have a disease or illness? Will you still be asking for a sign? Naturally, a person will exhibit some sort of signs or symptoms associated with the disease. There are many diseases known all over the world; and each disease or illness has their own signs and symptoms.

Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease that affects millions of people in the entire world. Though oftentimes it can be misdiagnosed, medical practitioners are trying their best efforts to give an accurate diagnosis based on the signs shown by their patients. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is a mild or moderate form of bronchitis while chronic bronchitis is a severe condition that needs appropriate medication and treatment. Each type of bronchitis can be easily determined by physicians or doctors because of the different signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient.

Acute Bronchitis Signs

- similar to that of cold symptoms
- wheezing
- painful cough
- chest and throat pain
- fever
- coughs up pus
- generally unwell

Chronic Bronchitis Signs

- productive and persistent cough
- excessive mucus secretion in airways
- mild fever and chest pain
- breathlessness
- has acute bronchitis episodes
- winter cough that disappears in summer

Bronchitis shows signs similar to other upper infections of the respiratory tract which includes soreness, burning feeling or constriction in the chest, congestion, sore throat, wheezing, breathlessness, overall malaise, chills and with slight fever. This is why bronchitis may be misdiagnosed for other respiratory infections like chronic sinusitis because the signs felt by the individual are very similar. Chronic sinusitis is an infection in your nose’ bone, and one of its signs include a green or yellow, thick postnasal discharge coupled with unceasing cough. This is usually triggered when an individual tries to clear mucus from his or her throat.

Signs of bronchitis are impossible to detect, especially that of acute bronchitis as the respiratory system has constricted contractions. If acute bronchitis remains untreated, in time complications may occur that can bring about chronicisation and asthmatic bronchitis. Adults, children, and newborns suffering from emphysema are at a great risk.

A premature treatment or diagnosis can manipulate negatively the establishment of signs and symptoms. If you want to improve the signs of bronchitis, you must do physical exercises like aerobic exercise. This is helpful in sustaining breathing after you’re cured of bronchitis. Bronchitis patients need to do a lot of normal walking exercises. There are also cardio exercises that you can perform to ameliorate breathing, fortify muscles, and calm the bronchitis patient.

When you already have bronchitis, whether acute or chronic, you should refrain from eating dairy products because these things increase mucus secretion and can aggravate the infection. By eating dairy products, the bacteria multiply quickly.

If you want to further improve the bronchitis signs that you feel, you can use pepper, garlic, and stock (from chicken) especially if you have acute bronchitis. This aids in the dilution of mucus, as well as its elimination. You can also put yourself under eucalyptus therapy to calm the irritation in your lungs and bronchial tubes to improve respiration. Apply warm compresses and take warm baths to clear mucus and help in stabilizing the breathing process. And if you’re a smoker, you’d better quit as soon as possible and take the necessary precautions. Also try to avoid second-hand smoke because it’s even more harmful.

Signs and symptoms of diseases serve as a warning to patients having the illness. Once you do experience some of the signs, then you can immediately seek the help of a physician or doctor. This way, you can prevent complications and be able to treat the disease at an early stage. Look for a reputable and experienced doctor to get the proper diagnosis.

A medical diagnosis manifested by a productive cough of the sputum occurring for more than three months can be deemed as chronic bronchitis. It can occur consecutively for two years along with the obstruction on air passages. Pulmonary testing helps in proper diagnosis through documentation of reversible characteristics of airways obstruction.

The current foundations of chronic bronchitis management are sympathomimetic agents and inhaled ipratropium bromide. Although theophyllinne is a very important therapy, its usage is only limited to narrow therapeutic effects. Orally taken steroids are reserved from patients demonstrating improvements in airflow. Antibiotics also play an important role for alleviating acute exacerbations. Others include smoking cessation, nutritional and hydration support, supplemental oxygen, and strengthening respiratory muscles.

Chronic bronchitis is considered one of the most common COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) illnesses. In fact, this is the fourth major death cause in the U.S. There are approximately ten million Americans who are affected by COPD to some extent causing 40,000 deaths in a year.

The major risk factor in developing chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. More than ninety percent of the patients have smoking histories, although fifteen percent of cigarette smokers are diagnosed ultimately with obstructive disease of the airways. Studies revealed that persistent active markers of airway inflammation upon bronchial specimen’s biopsy are found in symptomatic ex-smokers, even if these people already halted their smoking habit for thirteen years.

There are three major bacterial pathogens found in people with chronic bronchitis. It includes Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae. A speculative explanation between chronic bronchitis and infection interactions is due to the low colonization density of infectious agents on the lower respiratory tract which cause inflammatory reaction and triggers succeeding acute exacerbations.

Documentation which supports this concept is taken from various studies of patients affected by chronic bronchitis. The bacteria associated with IgE circulate in the body of the patients triggering histamine release after exposure to similar cultured bacteria of the lower respiratory tracts.  Added mechanisms including neurogenic inflammation is then developed causing chronic bronchitis symptomatic flare-ups. Thus the disease may continue because inflammatory mediators are sustained.

Diagnostic testing on the obstruction of the air passages must be done. Pulmonary function testing is recommended to determine how the patient responds to inhaled therapy such as bronchodilators. The obstructive disease of the airway is defined by the measured FEV1 (forced expiratory volume)/ FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio.

Most adults over their mid-life years, physiologic changes related to their age and elasticity of their lungs can cause a 30mL FEV1 decline in a year. Progressive declines of FEV1 rates means prolonged suffering from chronic bronchitis. The obstruction in the air passages caused by excessive sputum production can confirm chronic bronchitis diagnosis.

1. Blood tests. Advanced chronic bronchitis is determined through blood sampling taken from the artery. Usually, hypoxemia is very common characterized by ventilatory failure next to inflammation and bronchospasm. If ventilatory exchange of gas worsens, the condition is called concomitant hypercapnia. Testing through blood samples can also determine mild polycythemia.

2.  Chest radiograph. This tests although correlate poorly with chronic bronchitis symptoms in many patients, still, findings can be determined such as blebs, hyperinflation, bullae, peribronchial markings, and diaphragmatic flattening.

3. Electrocardiogram. This test is able to recognize disturbances in the supraventricular rhythm which include atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation, atrial tachycardia having “P” pulmonale.  Airway biopsy findings also include submucosal and mucosal inflammation, hyperplasia of goblet cell, and increased muscle smoothness on the small noncartilaginous air passage. 

4. Sputum cultures. This is limited for patients that have never been admitted in hospitals but displays acute chronic bronchitis exacerbations. It is because cultures of samples never reflect any presence of the organisms in bronchial distal levels. The sputum’s gram stain is a way of determining if antibiotic therapy is needed. Protected-tip sputum cultures are suggested for hospitalized patients especially if atypical organisms cause the exacerbation.

The whole ten years of mortality rate after the chronic bronchitis diagnosis is fifty percent. Respiratory failure after acute exacerbation is often the most terminal event. It is because bacterial infections often follow, characterized by fever, purulent sputum, and worst poor ventilation symptoms. Other precipitants include seasonal changes, infections of the upper respiratory, medications, and prolong exposure to pollutants and irritants.  However, understanding the role of mediators which cause inflammation in chronic bronchitis led on a better management of the disease.

Bronchitis and pneumonia is not synonymous. However, both are diseases affecting the lower respiratory system. Typically, it affects the airways going to the lungs, so it is imperative that a person should learn the major differences of the diseases to have a better understanding.

A severe lung infection is called pneumonia. The alveoli are filled with other liquid and pus. Thus the normal flow of oxygen is blocked. The blood is then getting less amounts of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen in your body, the cells fail to work properly. Proper treatment should be given, because less supply of oxygen and widespread infection can lead to death.

There are several factors which cause pneumonia, but the major cause of pneumonia is bacteria. The symptoms may include a headache, severe fatigue, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, skin is clammy when touched, and some degree of confusion.

- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium affecting twenty to sixty percent of adults and thirteen to thirty percent of children. This type of pneumonia is considered as community-acquired. Streptococcus classified as Group A or streptococcus pyogenes also causes pneumonia.  

- Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for acquired pneumonias in hospitals affecting ten to fifteen percent of people. This is often linked with patients having a weak immune system and viral influenza.

- Another bacteria present in cases of community-acquired pneumonias, people having chronic lung diseases, and children having cystic fibrosis is the gram-negative bacteria.

- Viral causes include RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), HPV (human parainfluenza virus), SARS (severe acute respiratory distress syndrome), herpesviruses,   influenza, and adenoviruses.

There are several types of pneumonia which you should also learn.

- Bacterial organisms cause atypical pneumonias including the walking pneumonia. A mild symptom like dry cough is apparent. However, hospital care is not needed.

- Aspiration pneumonia is a condition wherein the bacteria are present in the mouth. It is harmless if it stays there. But if gag reflex weakens, bacteria can penetrate your lungs causing the infection.

- Opportunistic pneumonia is harmless as long as the immune system is healthy. It can be harmful for people with vulnerable immune systems especially to illness and infection.

- Regional and occupational pneumonias are caused by exposure to chemicals. People who are exposed to cattle are at high risk of getting pneumonia due to anthrax.

Bronchitis is a disease affecting the bronchi. It is responsible for carrying the air from your trachea into your lungs. Inflammation due to irritation and infection can damage the cells on the bronchi areas. Normally, these cells contain cilia which remove and trap foreign particles that you breathe every day.

Blockage of the cilia causes obstruction on the airways increasing the irritation since the debris cannot easily flow. Mucus is then produced resembling to that of a cough. It makes the airways more vulnerable to infection and damages the tissue if irritation continues. Bronchitis has two types.

- Acute bronchitis can last for ten days. This is often accompanied by a severe flu or cold. Take note, bronchitis can start without any infection.

- Chronic bronchitis can last for three months or above. The symptoms are recurrent. So it must be always checked because it can threaten your life. This condition may also occur from a series attacks of acute bronchitis. It may also gradually develop because of inhaling dirty air or heavy smoking.

Viruses affect approximately ninety percent of people with acute bronchitis. Other cases are caused by repetitive exposures to irritants including smoke. This may develop chronic bronchitis. Using antibiotic is not effective because it cannot eradicate irritants or viral illnesses. It can only be effective with bacterial diseases. Moreover, you should never be confused of an asthma which produces significant amounts of cough and little wheezing. Often it is misdiagnosed as acute bronchitis.

The therapies that are most effective in treating bronchitis is being patient, avoid irritants, and maintain good nutrition. Some cases of viral bronchitis can last from eight to twelve weeks. Chronic bronchitis which is considered severe causes bronchi dilation. This makes the condition more susceptible to bacterial and severe infections caused by drugs.

It is very important to determine the differences between pneumonia and bronchitis. Health is very important thus proper diagnosis is essential for acquiring proper treatment.

There are basically two kinds of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis. These two may have the same last names but they vary from their causative effects and treatment prescribed to control the diseases.

Acute bronchitis is a short-term illness that becomes rampant during the cold seasons. It is usually followed by a viral infection and can go together with a bacterial infection. Acute bronchitis is self-limiting which clears itself within fourteen days but the cough may continue. Like any other upper respiratory tract infections, having acute bronchitis can raise chance of developing pneumonia.

People who are at risk of getting acute bronchitis are infants, very young children, and the old adults. This is due to the fact that infants and very young children still have underdeveloped immune systems, while the old adults, on the other hand, have immune systems that have become weaker due to ageing. Other group populations who are at risk are smokers and those with preexisting lung and/or heart ailments. People who are often exposed to pollution are also at risk of being afflicted with acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is also an inflammation of the respiratory tract with an accompaniment of phlegm expectoration and coughing. But in chronic bronchitis, the signs ands symptoms are at hand for no less than 3 months for two successive years.

Chronic bronchitis may be caused by the inhalation of respiratory airway irritants. Airway irritants may be in the form of cigarette smoking or pollution or a combination of both. Because this disease advances gradually, middle aged individuals and the elderly are expected to be diagnosed with this malady.

The main objective for the treatment of both acute and chronic bronchitis is to alleviate the symptoms.

For acute bronchitis, treatment consists of lots of intake of fluids, quitting smoking, taking a break, humidifying the home environment, and medications (in case of fever and pain). Acetaminophen is the most prescribed medication to fight pain and fever. Another is aspirin, but this is contraindicated for children and pregnant women due to the fact that this drug is suspected to be the cause of Reye’s syndrome among children. For women, it may cause severe bleeding.

Anti-cough medicines are taken when the sufferer experiences dry cough (cough without phlegm). But if the individual is experiencing cough with phlegm, then it should be left as it is and let the phlegm come out naturally. This is because if cough is suppressed and the phlegm is contained within, then it will eventually accumulate in the air passages which will cause an obstruction and may become a hotbed for dangerous microorganisms.

Expectorants, on the other hand, are medications that help liquidify or thin out the thick mucus in the lungs to make it easier to cough out.

Moreover, if the physician has detected a bacterial infection then an antibiotic medication may be prescribed. Intake of antibiotic medications should be done religiously as the physician ordered because any lapse may only cause the return of the disease or worse, the bacteria may produce a strain that could become immune to the medication.

Antibiotic medications may include the following:
? azithromycin
? trimethoprim or sulfamethazole
? clarithromycin
? tetracycline or ampicillin
? amoxicillin (for children below eight years of age due to the fact that tetracycline causes discoloration on the teeth that have not come out)

As for chronic bronchitis, treatment is a bit more multifaceted than acute bronchitis. The physician would need to carefully evaluate the patient for other health problems before a treatment plan can be employed to control the disease. Including in the treatment plan are changes in lifestyle that will involve stoppage of smoking and keeping away from polluted environments. Regular exercise may also help in the control of the disease.

Medications for chronic bronchitis include anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the inflammation in the respiratory tract tissues.

The following are commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs:
? Corticosteroids (i.e. prednisone, can be taken either as an oral medication or through IV)
? Ipratropium (also reduces the amount of mucus produced)

Meanwhile, bronchodilators help loosen up the bronchial muscles which then permits increase air flow in the respiratory passages. These can be taken in orally or by inhalation through a nebulizer (an apparatus that transport medication to the respiratory tract). Bronchodilators may include the following:
? metaproterenol
? albuterol

With the advancement of chronic bronchitis, the individual afflicted may eventually require supplemental oxygen. And in the later stages of the disease, the patient may need to be in the hospital if he or she developed severe complications.

In addition to conventional medications, herbal medicines can be also included in the treatment plan. Herbal medicines may be inhaled (like eucalyptus) or taken as tea made from mullein or Verbascum thapsus, coltsfoot or Tussilago farfara, and anise seed or Pimpinella anisum.

There are numerous medications out there and it is best to consult the physician to know which drug can best help treat and/or control bronchitis.

No parent will get a good night sleep when his baby is persistently coughing and breathing for him is difficult. You think that it is no ordinary cold or cough. It is something else. You may want to check if your baby is suffering from Bronchiolitis.

While bronchitis commonly happens to adults as their large airways inflame, bronchiolitis is a term referred to infants with inflamed airways between the chest and the lungs. The term bronchiolitis is coined since the bronchioles of infants are smaller than those of an adult. Thus it is easily plugged and viruses can easily enter. 

Who are at risk?

When your baby reaches the age of six months, he is more likely to be prone on developing bronchiolitis. It occurs until the second year of your baby. 

Infants are more susceptible to the illness during the winter and early spring season. Moreover, infants who are exposed to cigarette and belch smokes are also at high risk of obtaining the said illness. A crowded environment also causes onset symptoms of bronchiolitis. 

When you have a male infant, then he is most likely to acquire bronchiolitis. Studies also showed that male infants who are formula-fed are most likely to develop the said illness especially if they have not been breast-fed during the first six months of an infant.

What causes bronchiolitis? 

A viral infection, commonly known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main culprit behind bronchiolitis. Studies show that RSV is the major cause of sickness to young children especially infants. Other viruses which cause the said illness are the following:
? Parainfluenza virus – medical studies show that this kind of virus brings pediatric respiratory infections to most infants. 
? Mycoplasma – this type of virus is an imperative cause of pneumonia and other disorders in the respiratory system. 
? Adenoviruses – a virus which commonly causes conjunctivitis and other illnesses in the respiratory system
? Influenza virus – this type of virus strikes human’s respiratory tract which leads for an individual to suffer from cough, cold or to some extent bronchitis. 

What are the symptoms?

Your infant will begin to have a stuffy and runny nose with a meek cough. That is the primary symptom of an infant who develops bronchiolitis. He will then begin to suffer from breathing difficulties both in inhaling and exhaling.

After a day or two, your baby will then have an increase in breathing difficulty with rapid wheezing and cough. If you will observe, by this time his heartbeat has increased as well.

Other probable indications which may be accompanied by the above-mentioned symptoms are fever or cooler body temperature and reduced appetite. 

How can bronchiolitis be diagnosed?

If the above-mentioned symptoms are apparent to your baby, then it is highly recommended that you bring him to his pediatrician. The pediatrician after assessing the infant’s medical history and after taking physical examination may advise for the following tests to further prove that the illness is indeed bronchiolitis: 
1. Chest x-ray
2. Pulsoximeter 

What are the recommended treatments? 

There are helpful first-aid cure to give temporary relief to your baby. The most important step you need to undertake is to supply him a lot of non-caffeinated fluids. By doing so, dehydration will be prevented.

The use of humidifier or saline nose drops may also be done to allow the mucus to lighten. 

Sometimes it is recommended for parents or caregivers to bring the infant to the hospital so that he may be well-supervised in terms of giving him fluids, oxygen which is humidified and most importantly a thorough observation. 

Can bronchiolitis be prevented? 

Once an infant has been cured from bronchiolitis, you cannot risk another instance to experience the same illness. Hence, you need to undertake some preventive measures:
? During winter or early spring season where bronchiolitis is receptive, keep an infant away from individuals who have colds, cough, and flu. 
? As the parent or caregiver, make it a habit to wash your hands before handling an infant. 
? If you are to cough or sneeze, make sure that you cover your mouth with a tissue or handkerchief. Parents or caregivers who are likely to become sick should temporarily ask someone to take over their responsibility.

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Ever heard your doctor mention the term bronchitis? This is actually a chronic or acute swelling or soreness of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system’s tracheobronchial tree (trachea or windpipe and the bronchial tubes). Under some circumstances, it may or may not be contagious.

There are two kinds of bronchitis, long term or chronic bronchitis and short term or acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is manifested by fever, hypertrophy or increase in the size of the mucus secreting tissues, productive cough, sore throat, chills, runny nose, headache, general malaise, and back aches. While chronic bronchitis is a debilitating illness that is caused by persistent coughing with an immense production of phlegm or mucus by the glands of the bronchi and trachea. To be considered as chronic bronchitis, coughing with phlegm must persist for no less than three months for two successive years.

Common causative factors of both kinds of bronchitis are bacterial infection, viral, infection, and environmental pollution (such as cigarette smoking, chemical fumes, etc).

In diagnosing a patient for bronchitis, the physician primarily takes a health history and observes for telling signs of the disease. The medical professional will auscultate or listen to the patient’s chest through a stethoscope for sounds that may be a sign of inflammation of the lungs. These sounds could be moist rales, crackling, and wheezing. Wheezing is a sign of narrowing of the air passages, crackling is like the sound of hair being rubbed together, and moist rales is a bubbling sound that indicates fluid secretion in the bronchial tubes.

A sputum culture may be ordered by the physician in case of suspicious color or some streaks of blood. This is done to identify what kind of infection or what type of bacteria or virus is present in the respiratory tracts which consequently help the physician in formulating a treatment plan for the patient. Sputum is collected by instructing the patient to breathe deeply and cough out the phlegm then spit out into a container. Sputum collection is best done in the morning before breakfast or any food intake. The sample will then be sent to the laboratory and results will come out within three days.

But sputum collection in patients with chronic bronchitis is sometimes done through a method called bronchoscopy. The patient is administered with a local anesthesia and then a tube is inserted in the respiratory tract to collect the sputum. For further analysis, the physician may also order chest x-rays and blood tests.

With these tests and examinations, the physician will not only determine what type of treatment is best for the patient but will also determine if the bronchitis of the patient is contagious or not. If it is contagious then precautionary measures are employed.

Both acute and chronic bronchitis can be contagious. The cause of its being contagious is due to viral or bacterial infections. Common viruses, but are not limited to this list, that cause bronchitis are influenza virus, adenovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Bronchitis can be caused by two influenza strains: influenza A and influenza B. However, these two strains can be avoided if the patient takes a yearly shot of influenza virus vaccine which will help the patient to be immunized from the virus. The adenovirus on the other hand, can be any of the forty-nine medium sized viruses of the family Adenoviridae, which is pathogenic (disease causing) to man. It does not only cause disease in the respiratory tract but also may cause cystitis, conjunctivitis, and gastro-intestinal infection. Mycplasma pneumoniae is highly contagious among young children and adults.

With virus-caused bronchitis antibiotics are quite useless since it can only fight off bacterial infection. Virus infection is self-limiting, though, and may clear out within fourteen days providing the bronchitis is uncomplicated.

If there is an underlying bacterial infection, then the physician will likely prescribe antibiotics to kill off the bacteria and to prevent its further widespread to neighboring organs. Patients should religiously take the antibiotic medication as prescribed to prevent relapses and avoid any resistant bacterial strains to develop.

Prevention from acquiring contagious bronchitis is possible. Individuals must have an adequate amount of healthy nutrition and rest to improve their immune systems especially during the cold season. Washing hands regularly can also help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. Having clean surroundings can also avoid bacterial or viral caused bronchitis.

Bronchitis is an illness which scares most parents since it is after all an inflammation of the bronchi in a person’s lungs.  However, most physicians would advise parents or caregivers to calm down since according to medical findings bronchitis is not a chronic illness in children. 

Although bronchitis is not a chronic illness in children, it is still important for parents or caregivers to acquire knowledge about the said illness. By doing so, you will be well-equipped during times of bronchitis attacks. 

Bronchitis is a condition wherein the air passages amid the lungs and the nose swell due to a viral infection. It affects the bronchi. The bronchi are tubes wherein air passes through into and out of the lungs. There are times that the tracheas and windpipe is also affected by the inflammation.

There are two types of bronchitis – acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is most common to children than the chronic one. Usually chronic bronchitis appears to adult especially those who are heavy smokers and are prone to inhale chemical substances.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is most common during the winter season which usually strikes children.

Some viruses attack the lining of the bronchial tree which leads to an infection.  Swelling heightens because the body combats with the viruses. When there is more swelling, it produces more mucus.

Your child will more likely develop acute bronchitis if the virus which causes the said illness is inhaled from the air he breathes or can be passed on by other people with a cough. Your child is likely to develop acute bronchitis if he breathes in the said viruses. 

If you observe that your child has runny nose which starts before a cough do, has slight fever, experiences pain at the back and muscle area, has sore throat, getting chills and malaise then he is most likely suffering from acute bronchitis.

During the onset of acute bronchitis, your child will have a dry and unproductive cough which will later on develop into a copious cough filled with mucus. There are times that some children vomit or gag as they cough.

Upon observation of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is recommended that you bring your child to his physician. Acute bronchitis is initially detected by obtaining the child’s medical history and performing a physical examination of the child. Furthermore to verify the said illness the following tests can be done:

? Blood tests
? X-ray on Chest
? Lung Tests
? Pulse Oximetry
? Sputum cultures

A child with acute bronchitis will get well if you ask him to get a good rest. Eating a well-balanced meal and drinking a lot of non-caffeinated fluids will also be helpful. Another helpful cure is to improve the humidity within your surroundings. 

There are times that some physician recommends asthma-related medications. This helps release mucus inside the bronchi tubes. The said medications are usually accompanied with an inhaler.

Analgesics can be given to a child to relieve his fever as well as the discomfort he is feeling.

Parents or caregivers must be cautious not to give aspirin to a child suffering from bronchitis since it can lead to severe illness such as Reye’s syndrome. Additionally, antihistamines should also be prevented since it can worsen your child’s cough.  

So that your child will not have recurring acute bronchitis, it is advised that you inform your child to regularly wash his hands. It is recommended that you keep your child away from smokes coming from cigarettes or belches. 

Chronic Bronchitis 

Chronic bronchitis is the second type of the said illness. It usually appears after a continuing irritation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is referred to as “chronic” when symptoms persist by more than three months. 

Studies show that there are fewer cases of chronic bronchitis in children compared to acute bronchitis. Bronchitis in children will be chronic if symptoms are not treated well. 

Bronchitis should be properly treated since it can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia.

When your child experiences cold or cough, do not let it pass by thinking that things will all be well. It is better to give immediate aid to a child with colds or cough for it may lead to bronchitis.