Acute Bronchitis: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment
I. Introduction
- Definition of acute bronchitis
- Overview of bronchitis as an inflammation of the airways
II. What is Acute Bronchitis?
- Differentiating between acute and chronic bronchitis
- Acute bronchitis, also known as tracheal catarrh
- Occurrence in both children and adults
- Primarily caused by viral respiratory infections
III. Causes of Acute Bronchitis
- Viral infections, especially common colds, as the primary cause
- Rare cases of bacterial infections leading to bronchitis
- Increased risk due to smoking, passive smoking, or exposure to air pollutants
IV. Symptoms of Bronchitis
- Main symptom: persistent coughing
- Cough can be productive (with mucus) or non-productive (dry)
- Cough may produce discolored sputum (yellow-green or blood-mixed)
- Cough can persist for several weeks
- Possible chest pain
- Additional respiratory infection symptoms: sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, headache
V. Self-Care for Acute Bronchitis
- Allowing respiratory infection to resolve naturally
- Symptom relief measures:
- Adequate fluid intake to facilitate mucus expectoration
- Elevating the head of the mattress with two pillows
- Avoiding physical exertion until improvement
- Smokers should consider quitting or reducing smoking during symptoms
VI. Treatment for Acute Bronchitis
- Most cases resolve without specific treatment
- Antibiotics may be prescribed if bacterial infection is suspected or persists
- Antibiotics generally ineffective for viral infections
- Airways dilation medications may assist those with asthma or COPD
- Persistent bronchitis symptoms after colds could signal underlying conditions like asthma or COPD and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.