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Acute tracheobronchitis
What to watch out for with acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is still relatively common in clinical practice. So, what should be paid attention to when one has acute bronchitis? First, it is important to rest, avoid staying up late, avoid fatigue, drink more water, and quit smoking. Second, regarding medication, it is necessary to use drugs scientifically under the guidance of a physician, including the use of antibiotics, cough suppressants, and expectorants, among others. Additionally, acute bronchitis should be taken seriously. It is important to cooperate fully with the doctor's treatment and not to neglect it, as neglect may delay treatment and lead to the transformation into chronic bronchitis, which would be more troublesome.
Is acute bronchitis contagious?
Is acute bronchitis contagious? First, we need to understand what is acute bronchitis. What factors can cause acute bronchitis? It is currently believed that many factors including biological, physical, chemical irritants, or allergies can lead to acute bronchitis. Among these factors, biological factors are the most common, especially infections by microbes, which include viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia. These can potentially be transmitted to other people through droplets or other methods. Common agents include influenza viruses and chlamydia. Other factors can also cause bronchitis, such as cold air, irritant gases, or smoke irritation, as well as allergens like pollen and dust. These cases generally are not transmitted by infection, so they do not spread to other people.
What should be paid attention to in acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is one of the common respiratory diseases, clinically characterized by symptoms such as fever, cough, and expectoration. For those afflicted with acute bronchitis, it's important to rest, drink plenty of water, avoid exhaustion, eat light meals, quit smoking, and ensure the room is well-ventilated. These measures are beneficial for the recovery from acute bronchitis. Additionally, it's vital to follow the doctor's advice for active medication. If there is a bacterial infection, sensitive antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a physician. Furthermore, under medical guidance, medications to suppress cough, facilitate expectoration, and relieve asthma should be used. Generally, with bronchitis, the prognosis is good, and timely treatment can bring the condition under control.
Does acute bronchitis cause fever?
First, we need to know that acute bronchitis refers to the acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa caused by biological, physical, chemical stimulation, or allergens. The main symptoms in most patients are cough and expectoration. The cough usually presents as a dry cough or a small amount of viscous sputum. Over time, the amount of sputum may increase, or the cough may worsen. A small proportion of patients may have bloody sputum. The cough and expectoration can last for two to three weeks, and in very rare cases, some patients may develop chronic bronchitis if the condition does not resolve. However, for most patients, the primary manifestations are still localized, that is, symptoms like cough and sputum. Systemic symptoms, such as fever, generally present mildly.
Symptoms of bronchitis
If it is acute bronchitis, the onset is usually quite sudden and symptoms may include fever, cough, and expectoration. Some patients may experience bloody sputum or symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. Coughing and expectoration often continue for two to three weeks, after which most patients can recover. If it is chronic bronchitis, the onset is often gradual, and symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, and wheezing occur repeatedly. The episodes each year may last for more than three months.
How is acute bronchitis treated?
Firstly, general treatment involves plenty of rest, drinking water, quitting smoking, avoiding strenuous activities, and so on. Secondly, medication is used, starting with symptomatic treatment. For example, for a cough with little or no phlegm, cough suppressants can be used; for thick sputum, expectorants are needed; antipyretic analgesics can be used for fever; and if there is bronchospasm accompanied by chest tightness and shortness of breath, asthma medication is necessary. Additionally, the use of antibiotics is dependent on evidence of bacterial infection, and common types such as macrolides, penicillins, and cephalosporins must be used under the guidance of a physician.
Causes of bronchitis
Bronchitis is mostly caused by the invasion of pathogenic bacteria into the body, affecting the bronchi. Common pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, rhinovirus, adenovirus, mycoplasma, chlamydophila, and it might also be due to infection by pathogenic bacteria such as Bordetella. It often occurs when the body's immune system is compromised, due to staying up late, being exposed to cold, lack of sleep, or getting wet in rain. During the acute phase, symptoms such as high fever, chills, coughing, spitting phlegm, and breathing difficulty may occur. It's important to detect and treat it early to prevent it from turning into chronic bronchitis.
How to stop coughing in acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa caused by various pathogenic factors, with coughing being one of the common symptoms of acute bronchitis. So, how can patients stop coughing when they have acute bronchitis? If the cough is dry or there is little phlegm, antitussive and cough suppressant medications can be used. If the cough produces phlegm that is hard to expel, medications that thin the mucus should be chosen. Treatment can be administered orally or through nebulization. Additionally, drinking more water and having a lighter diet can also help suppress the cough.
Acute bronchitis fever lasts for several days.
Generally, in cases of acute bronchitis, the fever may last for three to five days. This duration varies depending on each patient's constitution and the severity of their condition, so the timeframe differs for everyone. It is advised not to worry too much. By following the guidance of a doctor and actively carrying out symptomatic treatment, one can manage. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, fever-reducing medications should be taken; otherwise, physical methods of cooling should be used. Drinking plenty of water helps promote excretion. Acute bronchitis typically has a sudden onset, usually accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, or chest tightness and breathing difficulties. During such times, it's recommended to follow a doctor’s guidance and possibly use nebulized inhalation for treatment and symptom relief. This may involve inhaling steroids or bronchodilator medications to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, it is important to maintain fresh and flowing air indoors, with appropriate temperature and humidity levels.