BRONCHITIS, ACUTE

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation of the air passages of the lungs. Acute bronchitis is of sudden onset and short duration while chronic bronchitis is persistent over a long period and recurring over several years.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Trachea; bronchi; bronchioles.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Cough that produces little or no sputum initially, but does later on.
• Low fever (usually less than 101F or 38.3C).
• Burning chest discomfort or feeling of pressure behind the breastbone.
• Wheezing or uncomfortable breathing (sometimes).

CAUSES

• Infection from one of many respiratory viruses. Most cases of acute bronchitis begin with a cold virus in the nose and throat that spreads to the airways. A secondary bacterial infection is common.
• Lung inflammation from breathing air that contains irritants, such as chemical fumes (ammonia), acid fumes, dust or smoke.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, sinusitis.
• Smoking; second hand smoke.
• Recent illness that has lowered resistance.
• Contact with an infected person.
• Children in day care environments.
• Immunosuppression from drugs or illness.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid exposure.
• Avoid smoking.
• Control of risk factors.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood counts to detect complicating infections and cultures of sputum and blood to identify the bacteria.
• X-rays of the chest (for complications only).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care, if you are in good overall health.
• Doctor's treatment, if you have chronic lung disease or complications develop.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Bacterial lung infection (various kinds of pneumonia).
• Chronic bronchitis from recurrent episodes of acute bronchitis.
• Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs) (rare).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable with treatment in 1 week. Cases with complications are usually curable in 2 weeks with medication. Cough may last several weeks after initial improvement.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• If you are a smoker, don't smoke during your illness. This delays recovery and makes complications more likely.
• Increase air moisture. Take frequent hot showers. Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier by your bed. Clean humidifier daily.

MEDICATION--

• For minor discomfort, you may use: Acetaminophen to reduce fever. Non-prescription cough suppressants. Use only if your cough is non-productive (without sputum). It may be dangerous to stop a cough entirely--this traps excess mucus and irritants in bronchial tubes, leading to pneumonia and poor oxygen exchange in the lungs.
• Your doctor may prescribe: Antibiotics to fight bacterial infections. Expectorants to thin mucus so it can be coughed up more easily. Cough suppressants.

ACTIVITY--Rest in bed until temperature returns to normal. Then resume normal activity gradually as symptoms improve.

DIET--No special diet. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluid each day to help thin mucus secretions so they can be coughed up more easily.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of bronchitis.
• The following occurs during the illness: High fever and chills. Chest pain. Thickened, discolored or blood-streaked sputum. Shortness of breath, even when the body is at rest. Vomiting.