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Acute bronchitis
How to prevent acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is relatively common in clinical practice, especially among elderly and frail patients. Common symptoms include fever, cough, expectoration, chest tightness, and more. To prevent acute bronchitis, it is important to exercise regularly, enhance physical fitness, rest adequately, balance work and rest, and avoid overwork and staying up late. During seasons when colds are prevalent, it is advisable to drink more water, ensure room ventilation to prevent colds, and strive to improve the living and sanitary conditions to keep the air fresh. Active treatment should be sought for those with upper respiratory infections, such as diseases in the nose, pharynx, or larynx areas.
Is acute bronchitis serious?
Patients with acute bronchitis usually do not experience severe conditions. Acute bronchitis typically presents symptoms of dry cough and is generally self-limiting, usually not leading to severe consequences. However, it is important to note that patients with acute bronchitis may sometimes experience significant chest tightness and wheezing, which can be particularly prominent in children and may even lead to respiratory failure. Additionally, acute bronchitis can sometimes be associated with other conditions, such as bacterial pneumonia. If combined with bacterial pneumonia, it could also lead to severe complications like respiratory failure. In such cases, the patient's condition is relatively severe, and close observation of the condition is necessary.
Can you smoke with acute bronchitis?
It can be definitively said that smoking is prohibited for those suffering from acute bronchitis. Common symptoms of acute bronchitis include coughing and expectoration, and some patients may experience chest tightness and wheezing. Smoking can trigger or exacerbate these symptoms. Firstly, the smoke and heat from smoking can directly damage the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, triggering or worsening symptoms such as coughing and asthma. Additionally, the harmful substances in smoke can also irritate and damage the respiratory tract mucous membranes, exacerbating these symptoms. Therefore, patients with acute bronchitis should quit smoking.
Nursing measures for acute bronchitis
If you are suffering from acute bronchitis, it is crucial to ensure proper care. First, observe the patient's body temperature to see if it has risen. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is time to take some antipyretic medications to reduce the fever. Additionally, employ physical methods to lower the temperature, drink more water, or use fever-reducing patches to achieve a cooling effect. Moreover, it is important to keep the bronchial tubes clear. If there is phlegm, it is best to expectorate it as much as possible to avoid blocking the bronchial tubes. Also, ensure to frequently ventilate the room to maintain fresh and flowing indoor air. Furthermore, allow the patient to rest more and avoid overexertion. Light, soothing aerobic exercise can be beneficial to enhance physical fitness. It is also important to keep warm and avoid exposure to cold and drafts, which could worsen the symptoms of acute bronchitis. Moreover, follow the doctor’s advice, cooperate actively with the treatment, and take medication as prescribed.
Differences between acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis
Generally speaking, acute bronchitis has a sudden onset, with patients often experiencing symptoms such as fever, coughing, and coughing up phlegm, and some patients may have wheezing. With effective treatment, recovery usually occurs within two to three weeks. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, typically has a longer course of illness with recurring symptoms, including coughing, coughing up phlegm, chest tightness, and wheezing. The duration of the illness often exceeds two years, with episodes typically lasting more than three months each year.
How long will acute bronchitis take to get better?
Generally, if the disease is detected early and diagnosed, prompt intravenous administration of penicillin antibiotics will lead to recovery in about a week. During the acute phase of inflammation when fever occurs, the diet should consist of liquid or semi-liquid foods, and fever-reducing pain relievers such as compound aspirin or ibuprofen may be taken. If symptoms such as difficulty breathing and wheezing occur, medications like salbutamol or aminophylline can be used to relieve these symptoms, focusing mainly on anti-inflammatory treatment and symptomatic therapy. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Is acute bronchitis severe?
Acute bronchitis is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract that requires timely treatment. If not treated promptly, it may turn into chronic bronchitis or cause other complications, which are detrimental to health. Therefore, it is important to detect and treat the disease early. If the infection is due to Streptococcus pneumoniae or diplococcus, intravenous drip of penicillin antibiotics can be administered. During the acute phase, it is also advisable to choose antipyretic medications, as well as medications to dilute sputum and relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasms for symptomatic treatment. Early detection and treatment can help prevent complications.
What to eat with acute bronchitis
For the diet of acute bronchitis, one should choose light, soft foods that are rich in vitamins and have a higher fiber content, such as fruits and vegetables. During a fever, the diet should primarily consist of liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as vegetable soup, millet porridge, dumpling soup, noodles, etc. Remember, during the acute phase of inflammation, do not consume overly greasy or high-calorie foods, avoid large amounts of meat and fish, and also refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Drink plenty of water, maintain fresh indoor air, and ensure proper ventilation and disinfection of indoor air.
How to treat acute bronchitis in children
There are two methods for treating bronchitis in children. One is general treatment, which includes drinking more water, maintaining an appropriate indoor temperature and humidity, and measuring body temperature to treat fever symptoms as necessary. The second method involves using antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens, which commonly include bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, or other pathogens. This approach requires selecting medication based on the infecting pathogen, conducting drug sensitivity tests to choose the appropriate antimicrobial treatment, following the treatment course precisely, and conducting regular follow-ups to prevent complications.
What medicine is used for acute bronchitis?
Generally speaking, two types of medications are needed. One is for symptomatic treatment, and the other is antibiotic therapy. Symptomatic treatment: If there is coughing without sputum or little sputum, cough suppressants can be used. If there is coughing with sputum, expectorants can be chosen. If there are symptoms of chest tightness or shortness of breath, asthma-relieving medications can be used. Fever can be treated with antipyretic and analgesic medications as appropriate. Antibiotic treatment: It can only be used when there is evidence of bacterial infection. Commonly used antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, etc., and these medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.