Why does acute bronchitis make you feel so tired?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on February 24, 2025
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Acute bronchitis is very exhausting, and this condition is mainly caused by two reasons.

First, it is due to inflammation. After the infection, it is not necessarily confined to the trachea; it can release cytokines and inflammatory mediators throughout the body. These cytokines and inflammatory mediators can cause inflammatory effects throughout the body, leading many patients to feel sore limbs and fatigue.

Second, during acute bronchitis, there can be a manifestation of relative hypoxia in the body. This is due to the disease, because the trachea itself is responsible for breathing. When there is an issue, the respiratory function will definitely be impaired, so the body will also experience fatigue and weakness due to hypoxia.

All these symptoms are related to bronchitis. Once the symptoms of bronchitis improve, these symptoms can also improve.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
1min 16sec home-news-image

How to treat acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchi caused by various pathogenic factors and is relatively common in clinical practice. Symptoms mainly include coughing, production of sputum, and some patients may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, fever, and blood in the sputum. For initial instances of acute bronchitis, it is important to first ensure rest, increase fluid intake, avoid fatigue, and avoid exposure to cold. Secondly, symptomatic treatment should be considered; cough suppressants can be used for coughs that are dry or produce little sputum, and expectorants should be used when the cough produces sputum that is difficult to expel. If there is chest tightness and wheezing, asthma medications should be chosen. If fever is present, antipyretic and analgesic medications should be used for symptomatic treatment. Thirdly, the use of antibiotics is appropriate only when there is evidence of bacterial infection; otherwise, it is best to avoid them. Treatment with antibiotics should be under a doctor's guidance, and self-medication should be avoided. With the above treatments, acute bronchitis can generally be controlled, but a minority of patients with weaker constitutions may develop chronic conditions.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is acute bronchitis contagious?

Acute bronchitis is somewhat contagious, mostly caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, or staphylococci due to inflammatory irritation. It can spread through respiratory secretions and expelled air containing pathogens. If a healthy person comes into contact with these pathogens, they may get infected. Therefore, acute bronchitis can be contagious. It is advisable to promptly disinfect indoor air, drink plenty of water, rest adequately, select sensitive antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens, and treat symptoms accordingly.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
45sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Can acute bronchitis cause a fever?

Acute bronchitis can cause fever. In such cases, there is no need for excessive worry, as fever is a common symptom of acute bronchitis. It is advised to actively manage the fever. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, take antipyretic medication; otherwise, use physical methods to reduce fever, such as wiping the patient's limbs and back with a warm towel to cool down; you can also apply fever cooling patches, or take some antipyretic medication to treat and alleviate symptoms; applying a cold towel to the forehead can also achieve the purpose of cooling. Additionally, let the patient rest more, avoid excessive fatigue, drink more water to enhance excretion, and improve their own resistance. At the same time, follow a doctor’s guidance to actively treat the symptoms. As the onset of acute bronchitis is often sudden, it is advised to address the symptoms appropriately.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
42sec home-news-image

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.