Acute Bronchitis: Knowing About the Different Signs and Symptoms

There are quite a lot of people living today who are suffering from different kinds of respiratory illnesses. You have to consider that your respiratory health is one of the most important factors that you should consider. Many people have been disabled by chronic respiratory illnesses where the main cause is that they tend to neglect early signs and symptoms of the disease when it develops and becomes severe.

One kind of disease that is commonly neglected by people is called bronchitis. This particular disease is common in infants and children where their immune system is still at the developing stages. Tobacco smokers and people living in areas where there is a high level of air pollution are also commonly affected by bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a respiratory illness where the bronchial tree is infected by either a virus or bacteria or in rare cases, fungus. 95% of acute bronchitis is caused by viral infection where no special treatment is necessary.

The treatment for acute bronchitis that is caused by viral infection only consists of getting a lot of rest, drinking a lot of water or juices during the duration of the infection. In bacterial infection, antibiotics are usually needed along with the basic treatments. If possible, it is recommended that the humidity in the house should be increased by using room humidifiers or by placing wet towels and blankets around the house.

Acute bronchitis, if properly treated, can last up to 10 to 12 days and is usually followed by the flu or a cold. Coughing can last for two to three weeks or during the duration of the healing process of the bronchioles. However, if the cough still persists, it is recommended that you should consult your physician immediately because there may be other conditions that are affecting your body.

If acute bronchitis is left untreated, it can develop into chronic bronchitis where the disease can remain in long duration and can last up to 3 months to 2 years. Chronic bronchitis has causes permanent damage to your respiratory system. That is why it is important that you should know all about bronchitis and the signs and symptoms associated with it. If you neglect the signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis, it will develop into chronic bronchitis that can cause permanent damage in your respiratory system and can interfere with your normal movements and activities.

The signs and symptoms associated with acute bronchitis will include shortness of breath, mild pain on chest, mild case of fever, persistent coughing with mucus, chills, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and headache. As you can see, the symptoms associated with acute bronchitis have similar symptoms associated with the common cold. This is why it is important that if you experience the mentioned signs and symptoms, you should immediately consult your physician about it.

They will conduct a series of test that will include physical examination by listening to your breathing through a stethoscope and chest X-rays. Laboratory tests will also include examination of your mucus to determine whether you have acute bronchitis caused by virus, bacteria, or fungus infection.

During the recovery phase in acute bronchitis, it is important that you should stop smoking if you are a smoker, or avoid inhaling cigarette or tobacco smoke blown by smokers. It is also recommended that you should install air purifiers inside your home in order to breathe clean air.

Acute bronchitis is easy to prevent. By constantly washing your hands and by not smoking, you will be able to maintain your respiratory health and avoid getting infected by viruses and bacteria that causes acute bronchitis.

Always remember that acute bronchitis is treatable. As soon as the signs and symptoms show up, you should consult your doctor about it. You have to consider that it may not be a simple cold that you are suffering from but acute bronchitis.

By taking the necessary precautions and by knowing about the signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis, you will be able to prevent it from getting worse and be sure that you will never have to suffer from chronic bronchitis.

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

Baokhikhang
6. September 2018
Baokhikhang
6. September 2018
Hi everyone, Viruses cause 85% to 95% of cases of acute bronchitis in healthy adults which means the doctor will only be able to treat the symptoms. I used to be acute bronchitis for 1 week. I cough a lot and with mucus, bodyaches and I had a mild fever. But i didnt take any drug. I used little honey tea to sweeten my throat. I gargled with salt water every i wake up in the morning and before i do to bed. It helps kill bacteria very well. And i drunk warm water insteads of cold water. What a suprise! I feel good every single day. Maybe i have healthy lifesttyle so my immune system fighted viruses cause acute bronchitis.

Mike
24. December 2017
Mike
24. December 2017
Hello & Merry Xmas, I am on my 4 day of the coughing and the loud coughing or barking have stopped if I don't strain myself. In the new year I plan to loose sum serious weight! I'm carrying around an extra 100 plus pounds which make getting around very difficult. Constant stops to catch my breath are annoying! Catching this is a blessing in disguise! I started to feel sick with a Feaver Wednesday night and by Friday I got to see my dr before Xmas break. She gave me the normal puffers. Going to bed now crossing fingers for Sunday.

Maria
12. September 2017
Maria
12. September 2017
I was not aware I was suffering from acute bronchitis until I went to the doctor and reading this information .Thank you Health Status.

John Kerry
26. November 2016
John Kerry
26. November 2016
usually several days (5-7) if you still have bronchitis after that, you may have chronic bronchitis. however, coughs can last for several of weeks after bronchitis.?

Jing
19. April 2016
Jing
19. April 2016
Hi Healthstatus, Very interesting article thank you for sharing your thoughts, it is a big help to everybody so that they can avoid body complications. Keep posting !

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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