Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the lung bronchi that lasts 1 to 3 weeks and causes symptoms such as cough (with or without sputum), wheezing, chest pain, and excessive fatigue.
Acute bronchitis is most common in children under 5 years old, but it can affect anyone at any age and is primarily caused by a viral infection, such as the flu or the common cold, but can also be caused by a bacterial infection or exposure to allergens.
Treatment of acute bronchitis is given by a pulmonologist, pediatrician, or general practitioner and usually involves hydrating the body or using analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, or bronchodilator medications to relieve symptoms.
Symptoms of acute bronchitis
The main symptoms of acute bronchitis include:
- Dry or productive cough;
- Transparent, yellowish or pus-containing sputum;
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- chest pain or discomfort;
- Wheezing in the chest when breathing;
- Excessive fatigue.
Likewise, acute bronchitis may be accompanied by symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever, and general malaise. Learn about other symptoms of bronchitis.
Whenever symptoms of acute bronchitis occur, it is important to consult a pulmonologist, pediatrician, or general practitioner to diagnose and initiate the most appropriate treatment to avoid complications such as pneumonia.
How to confirm diagnosis
Diagnosis of acute bronchitis is made by a pulmonologist, pediatrician, or general practitioner by assessing symptoms and health history and auscultating the lungs with the goal of identifying any changes in breathing.
In addition, doctors must use a finger oximeter to assess vital signs such as oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rates, and body temperature in the body.
Generally, when vital signs are normal, no additional tests are needed; however, if these changes or the doctor suspects pneumonia, tests such as a chest X-ray, complete blood count, or spirometry may be ordered. Learn how to perform spirometry.
These tests can also help rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms, such as asthma, acute or chronic sinusitis, viral pharyngitis, or bronchiolitis. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of bronchiolitis.
What is the difference between acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis?
The main difference between acute and chronic bronchitis is the duration and cause.
Acute bronchitis lasts 1 to 3 weeks, while chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lung bronchi that lasts 3 months or longer, or is considered chronic when bronchitis recurs multiple times within a year.
Likewise, acute bronchitis is primarily caused by viral infections, while chronic bronchitis is often caused by frequent, long-term exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution, toxic substances or allergens, or repeated viral or bacterial infections. Better understand what chronic bronchitis is and its causes.
possible reason
Acute bronchitis is caused by irritation or inflammation of the lung bronchi, causing them to increase in size and produce more phlegm, thereby reducing airflow to the lungs and causing difficulty breathing.
The main factors that can cause acute bronchitis include:
- viral infections such as flu and colds;
- Bacterial infections;
- Inhalation of smoke, including cigarette smoke or polluted air;
- Allergenic substances such as dust or cleaning products;
- My work involves exposure to irritating substances such as grains or textiles.
In addition, another cause is gastroesophageal reflux, which causes stomach contents, including stomach acid, to flow back into the mouth. When it is strong or persistent, it can cause throat irritation and increase the risk of acute bronchitis.
How treatment works
Acute bronchitis is a self-limiting disease and treatment should be under the guidance of a pulmonologist, pediatrician or general practitioner with the aim of assessing symptoms.
In this case, the doctor may instruct:
1. Moisturizing
Staying hydrated is essential to help the body fight infection and avoid dehydration, in addition to thinning phlegm and promoting its elimination.
In this way, you should increase your intake of water, juice or tea, such as fennel tea, mallow tea or garlic tea. Learn how to make tea to treat bronchitis.
2. Drugs
Your doctor may recommend medications to help relieve symptoms of acute bronchitis, mainly:
- antipyreticssuch as paracetamol, to reduce fever;
- anti-inflammatoriessuch as ibuprofen, which fights bronchial inflammation and relieves sore throats, body aches, or discomfort;
- throat lozengessuch as flurbiprofen, to relieve sore throat or cough;
- corticosteroidssuch as prednisone, can reduce bronchial inflammation in some cases;
- inhalerlike albuterol, can relieve wheezing and improve breathing.
Likewise, your doctor may recommend cough syrup, such as dextromethorphan.
Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if acute bronchitis is caused by bacteria.
3. Nasal wash
Rinsing the nose with 0.9% saline can help eliminate excess secretions from the upper respiratory tract because it can make sputum more fluid and easier to discharge, thereby helping to relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion or runny nose.
When performing nasal lavage, use a syringe to inject 10 to 20 ml of sterile 0.9% saline solution, tilt your body forward, and tilt your head slightly to one side. Then, place the syringe at the entrance of one nostril and press until the serum comes out of the other nostril.
When using a serum to cleanse, it is important to keep your mouth open and breathe through your mouth, also do not inhale the serum and blow your nose immediately after cleansing. Learn how to properly rinse your nose.
4. Use a humidifier
Doctors indicate that you can also humidify the environment to relieve nasal congestion, because through the water particles in the breathing environment, the respiratory tract is hydrated, reducing irritation, facilitating the elimination of phlegm, and relieving the discomfort of acute bronchitis.
To humidify the air, you can place a basin or bucket of warm water in the room, or use a humidification device, etc. Learn all about humidifying your environment.
Home treatment for acute bronchitis
Home treatment of acute bronchitis can be carried out with homemade syrups, such as thyme syrup or watercress and pineapple syrup, as they help to eliminate phlegm more easily and reduce bronchial inflammation.
Likewise, it is important to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and chestnuts, which are rich in antioxidants and help strengthen the immune system and speed recovery from acute bronchitis.
Home treatments for acute bronchitis may supplement medication and therefore do not replace medications and care prescribed by your doctor.