06/26/2014
BRONCHITIS OVERVIEW — Bronchitis develops when there is swelling and irritation of the bronchi, the large tubes that carry air to the lungs. Acute bronchitis often occurs with a viral infection, such as the common cold, and is sometimes called a "chest cold”. The most common symptom of acute bronchitis is a nagging cough, which usually subsides within two to three weeks, although a lingering cough can persist for several weeks after the acute bronchitis has improved. Treatment of acute bronchitis usually involves treating the symptoms of the viral infection, such as sore throat and congestion. Antibiotics do not help to eliminate acute bronchitis caused by a virus. Antiviral agents are useful in some cases of acute bronchitis due to influenza, but there are no antiviral agents for other forms of viral bronchitis.
BRONCHITIS CAUSES — Most cases of bronchitis are caused by a viral infection of the upper airways, such as the common cold or the flu. Less commonly, a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis, which causes pertussis (whooping cough), is the cause.
BRONCHITIS SYMPTOMS — The most common symptoms of acute bronchitis include:
●A persistent cough; this may last 10 to 20 days
●Some people cough up mucus, which may be clear, yellow, or green in color (in this case, coughing is a good response to help clear the bronchi of the mucus)
Fever is not common in people with acute bronchitis. However, having a fever can be a sign of another condition, such as the flu or pneumonia.
BRONCHITIS DIAGNOSIS — Most people who have a persistent cough after an upper respiratory infection (cold) do not need to see a healthcare provider. Diagnostic testing, such as x-rays, cultures, and blood tests, are not usually needed for people with acute bronchitis. However, testing may be recommended if your diagnosis is not clear based upon your examination or if another condition, such as pneumonia, is suspected.
When to seek help — You should call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
●Fever (temperature greater than 100.4° F or 38° C)
●A cough that does not improve after 10 days or lasts longer than 20 days
●A cough that worsens and is accompanied by new fever and new discolored mucus production (this may be the signs of a developing pneumonia)
●Chest pain with coughing, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood
●A barking cough that makes it hard to speak, especially if it persists
●Cough accompanied by unexplained weight loss
People who are older than 75 do not always have a fever or other concerning symptoms that may indicate a more serious infection. If you are over 75 years and you have a persistent cough, you should call your clinician to determine if and when an office visit is recommended.
BRONCHITIS TREATMENT
Relief of symptoms — There is no specific treatment for bronchitis. There are a few treatments available for the common cold.
●Drinking lots of fluids
●A nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (ibuprofen, naproxen), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help to relieve the pain of a sore throat or headache.
●Heated, humidified, air can improve symptoms of nasal congestion and runny nose, and has few to no side effects.
●Cough suppressant medications have not been shown to be helpful for most patients. In addition, coughing can be a good response to help clear the bronchi of mucus.
●Inhaler medications, commonly used for patients with asthma, are only helpful for those patients whose symptoms include wheezing or airflow obstruction and would require prescription.
Antibiotics — Antibiotics are NOT helpful for most people with bronchitis since the illness is typically caused by a virus. Antibiotics treat bacterial, not viral infections.
Many people request antibiotics in the hopes that it will get rid of the cough, and some people even think that antibiotics have helped on previous occasions. However, there is no benefit of antibiotics for most cases of bronchitis. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can cause harm by causing side effects and promoting antibiotic resistance so that if you do develop a bacterial infection it may be more difficult to treat.
PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS — Hand washing is an essential and highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Wet your hands with water and plain soap and rub them together for 15 to 30 seconds. Pay special attention to the fingernails, between the fingers, and the wrists. Rinse your hands thoroughly, and dry with a single use towel.
Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Spread the hand rub over the entire surface of your hands, fingers, and wrists until dry. You can use hand rubs repeatedly without irritating the skin or losing effectiveness. Hand rubs are available as a liquid or wipe in small, portable sizes that are easy to carry in a pocket or handbag. When a sink is available, you should wash visibly soiled hands with soap and water.
Wash your hands before preparing food and eating; after going to the bathroom; and after coughing, blowing the nose, or sneezing. While it is not always possible to limit contact with people who are ill, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after direct contact, when possible.
In addition, use a tissue to cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Throw away used tissues promptly and then wash your hands. Sneezing/coughing into the sleeve of your clothing (at the inner elbow) is another way of containing sprays of saliva and secretions and does not contaminate your hands. Sneezing and coughing without covering your mouth can spread infection to anyone within six feet.
