Is acute bronchitis curable?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Acute bronchitis is a relatively common clinical condition. Patients often experience symptoms such as coughing and expectoration. Some may have chest tightness, shortness of breath, blood in sputum, and fever. Generally, after contracting acute bronchitis, it is important to rest, stay hydrated, avoid fatigue, and avoid getting chilled.

Regarding medications, if there is a cough without sputum, cough suppressants can be used. If there is excessive sputum, expectorants should be used. For chest tightness and shortness of breath, asthma medication is needed, and antipyretic analgesics are used for fever to relieve symptoms. Additionally, if there is evidence of bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment should be used under the guidance of a physician and not purchased privately. Generally, with the aforementioned treatments, most patients can be cured with a good prognosis.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is acute bronchitis diagnosed?

Acute bronchitis can generally be diagnosed by combining clinical symptoms and corresponding auxiliary examinations. Common symptoms initially include fever, headache, and sore throat, followed by cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sputum production, and wheezing. Routine blood tests, C-reactive protein, and mycoplasma tests are necessary, along with a chest X-ray. The X-ray may reveal increased and thickened pulmonary markings, confirming the diagnosis of this disease. Antibacterial drugs are selected based on the infecting pathogen, and symptomatic treatment is administered.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Acute Bronchitis Clinical Symptoms

Acute bronchitis is a relatively common disease. The common symptoms include coughing and expectoration. Typically, it begins with a dry cough, or with a small amount of mucous sputum, which gradually turns into mucopurulent or purulent sputum, and the amount of sputum gradually increases. The coughing may worsen, and occasionally, the sputum may be tinged with blood. Some patients may also experience fever and wheezing. Generally, coughing and expectoration can last for two to three weeks.

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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 Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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The difference between bronchitis and tracheitis.

Bronchitis and tracheitis are not standardized diagnoses. For bronchitis, it often refers to acute bronchitis, while tracheitis often refers to chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is an infectious respiratory disease, which mostly presents with symptoms of coughing, and may also be accompanied by sputum production and chest tightness. However, the condition of the patient is usually completely curable. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a chronic respiratory disease. This condition can manifest as chronic cough, sputum production, and chest tightness, and the patient's condition may progress gradually, even possibly complicating with chronic respiratory failure and cor pulmonale. Therefore, chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis are two completely different diseases. Additionally, it is important to note that sometimes bronchitis may also refer to chronic bronchitis, and tracheitis may also refer to acute bronchitis, so it is impossible to completely distinguish between bronchitis and tracheitis.