Bronchitis Symptoms

Typical Acute Bronchitis Symptoms:

Acute bronchitis is associated with the following complaints:

• Hypersensitivity of the airways and many times accompanied with painful cough;
• Increased mucus: a). In viral infection this is often associated with slight whitish mucous discharge, b) In bacterial infection the discharge is a yellowish-greenish substance;
• Inflammation is often associated with fever, fatigue, headache and generally feeling unwell;
• Chest pain in the sternum in combination with the strong urge to cough or with diseases of the pleura (this is a thin membrane that protects and cushions the lungs);
• Increased breath sounds (wheezing);

Inflammatory swelling of the bronchial mucosa and increased mucus production in the airways may cause respiratory disability in acute bronchitis and increase coughing and possibly cause respiratory disability. It is also called spastic or obstructive bronchitis.

When Should You See A Doctor?

You should seek medical attention when you recognize the following symptoms for acute bronchitis:

  * Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain;
  * Coughing of blood;
  * High fever;
  * Strong, yellowish discharge as a result of bacterial super infection;
  * Symptoms that last longer than seven days;
  * Pre-existing conditions such as COPD, asthma or heart failure;
  * Immune deficiency in HIV infection, cancer or steroid therapy;

What is acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi in the lower respiratory tract. It is usually caused by viruses, less often caused by bacteria.

Enabling factors are cigarette smoke, cold and humid weather and air pollution. Acute bronchitis also occurs in other diseases such as influenza.

What is the Rol of the Bronchi?

In addition to the distribution of ventilation, it is also the rol of the bronchial tubes to heat the air, moisten and clean it. The bronchial mucous membrane produces a slime, that capture dust particles, dead cells and other impurities transported toward the mouth. Larger accumulations of mucus in the airways triggers a cleaning cough. In addition, the mucus produced also fulfills a defensive role, because it contains substances and cells to fight off the bacteria and viruses.

What are the signs of acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is often preceded by a simple cold with a runny nose, sneezing and general discomfort.
When you feel the onset of cough with pain behind the breastbone, this generally indicates bronchitis.
The increased production of mucus by the bronchi leads to its ejection.

This mucus is transparent when the cause is a viral infection. Bacterial infections produce a yellowish to greenish sputum.

Fever as well as muscle and joint pain can be present. The course of acute bronchitis is spread over two to three weeks if no complications arise. Under unfavorable conditions such as inhalation of tobacco smoke, dust, or poor weather conditions, the disease can also last between six to eight weeks.
 
Serious complications are more common in immunocompromised or elderly people with existing illnesses. These include pneumonia and an additional bacterial infection of the bronchi. Rarely, does acute bronchitis turn into a chronic bronchitis.

How is acute bronchitis detected?

For the diagnosis of acute bronchitis, the physician bases his diagnosis as a result of interpreting the complaints and listening to the lungs. In severely affected patients, a blood test determines whether it is a viral or a bacterial infection that causes the disease.

 If coughing continues for a long time or if there is blood in the sputum,there may be other causes involved and requires further studies.

How is acute bronchitis treated?

Since the major cause of infection is due to viruses, antibiotics are ineffective. You should strictly refrain from smoking. A pollutant-rich environment, and extreme temperatures of the air should be avoided. Adequate humidity also protects the lining of the bronchial tubes.

• Using mucus-dissolving medications helps to liquefy the tenacious bronchial secretions, so it can be coughed up more easily.
• Also, inhalation and the use of home remedies such as thyme or onion juice also help in liquefying the secretions and alleviate the annoying cough.
• Menthol and eucalyptus as an ointment can be supportive, but they can have an adverse influence, especially in children so caution is necessary here.
• It is important to ensure adequate fluid intake to keep the secretion fluid.

If the symptoms start with a sole cough without much expectoration the doctor can prescribe a short term antitussive drugs (cough suppressants).

For bacterial infections of the bronchial mucosa, which are characterized by a long, difficult course and are purulent (which means containing pus), antibiotics are used.