HealthyCanada.com

Overview

Acute bronchitis is an infection of the inner walls of the tubes that carry air from the mouth and nose to the lungs. It is one of the most common diagnoses made by family doctors affecting some 1.5 million Canadians each year. It is more prevalent in the fall and winter and often comes on the heels of a cold or the flu. Most cases of acute bronchitis disappear within a matter of days without lasting effects although coughs may linger a month or more. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis you may have a more serious health problem such as asthma chronic bronchitis or emphysema in which case you need to see your doctor.

Causes

Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by viruses that get into the bronchial tree. The same viruses that cause the flu or colds in the nose and throat can cause acute bronchitis.

Viruses attack the lining of the bronchial tree causing damage. As your body fights back against these viruses more swelling occurs and more mucus is made. Even though your body kills off the viruses it takes time for your body to repair the damage caused by the infection. During this time you may continue to cough and wheeze. Anything that causes further damage to the bronchial tree such as cigarette smoking will lengthen the time it takes for you to get better.

Acute bronchitis is spread from person to person by coughing. The viruses that cause the infection are sprayed into the air or onto people's hands when they cough. You can catch acute bronchitis if you breathe in the viruses or touch hands coated with these viruses.

You are more likely to get acute bronchitis if your bronchial tree is already damaged. Cigarette smoking or being around damaging fumes (such as second hand smoke or industrial fumes) can break down your body's defense against infection. People who smoke are more likely to get acute bronchitis and to have it longer. If you stop smoking you are less likely to get acute bronchitis in the future.

Symptoms

Acute bronchitis often begins with the symptoms of a common cold such as runny nose malaise chilliness slight fever muscle pain and sore throat. These are then followed by:

• Persistent cough with or without mucus
• Mucus usually discolored (yellow greenish or brownish)
• Low-grade fever
• Chest discomfort (occasional)
• Wheezing or uncomfortable breathing (occasionally).

Most symptoms of bronchitis clear on their own in a few days especially if you rest drink plenty of fluids and keep the air in your home warm and moist. The cough is the last symptom to subside. If your cough lasts more than one month or if you keep having a fever you should see your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you cough up blood if you have trouble breathing only when you lie down or if your feet swell as these could indicate more serious problems.

Treatment

Acute bronchitis is caused by viruses so antibiotics (medicines that kill bacteria) are not helpful. (It is possible however to have a combination of bacterial and viral bronchitis).

Cough medicines are generally effective against a dry cough only. Expectorants may help to clear out mucus. Sometimes doctors prescribe medicines that are used to treat asthma. These medicines help open the bronchial tubes. The asthma medicines used for acute bronchitis are usually given in an inhaler. An inhaler sprays the medicine right into the bronchial tree where it is most useful.

If you smoke you should cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke or stop smoking altogether. This will help limit the damage to your bronchial tree. You will heal faster if you are not smoking. You should also avoid breathing in second hand smoke fumes or chemicals that can damage your lungs.

Sometimes the cough from acute bronchitis lasts for several weeks. It can even drag on for months. Usually this happens because the bronchial tubes are taking a long time to heal. However the cough may also be a sign of other problems.

Acute bronchitis can be confused with asthma. If you continue to wheeze and cough especially at night or when you are active you could have mild asthma. If your cough and wheezing problems continue your doctor may want you to take some breathing tests to check for asthma.

Pneumonia and acute bronchitis can sometimes cause similar symptoms. If you have a high fever feel very sick and weak and continue to cough you should call your doctor. You may need to have a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia.

Bronchitis can also be caused by acid coming up from the stomach and dripping into the lungs when you sleep. If your cough continues and you sometimes have a bad-tasting fluid come up into your mouth you should see your doctor. You could have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Medicines can reduce the acid in your stomach which may help your cough go away.

Prevention

The best defense against acute bronchitis is to get an annual flu shot ask your doctor about the pneumonia vaccine wash your hands frequently don't smoke and stay away from second-hand smoke.