Is acute bronchitis severe?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 30, 2024
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Do you need to be hospitalized for acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is a condition that develops quickly, occurs suddenly, and often has severe symptoms, for which hospital treatment is recommended. Hospitalization allows for effective monitoring of the condition and offers better medical facilities, including oxygen therapy and sputum extraction to relieve discomfort. The main treatment principle, apart from symptomatic treatment, involves choosing sensitive antimicrobial agents for anti-inflammatory treatment. Chest X-rays, complete blood counts, mycoplasma tests, and C-reactive protein tests can be carried out to diagnose the specific type of pathogenic infection. If acute bronchitis is caused by bacterial infection, intravenous administration of penicillin-type antibiotics can be used for anti-inflammatory treatment to control the infection. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, depending on specific circumstances.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.)

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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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.