Acute Bronchitis Clinical Symptoms

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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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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How long does it take for an infusion for acute bronchitis?

The duration of infusion therapy for bronchitis should be determined based on the pathogen causing the infection, the patient's constitution, and specific symptoms; generally, there is no fixed time frame. In normal cases, if immunity is normal, acute bronchitis can be treated with infusion therapy for about seven to ten days, and patients with mild symptoms can fully recover in three to five days. If the patient is frail, has low immunity, or if the medication is not effective against the pathogen, the course of the disease may be longer, requiring up to half a month or even more than twenty days. The specific duration should be decided based on clinical symptoms and the pathogen involved.

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What should be avoided with acute bronchitis?

Patients with acute bronchitis should be cautious about not consuming spicy and greasy foods such as chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, onions, ginger, and garlic. These foods have certain irritants that might worsen the condition of acute bronchitis, hinder recovery, and increase the difficulty of treatment. Additionally, it's important to avoid greasy foods as they are high in calories and not easily digestible, which could burden the digestive system. Consuming such foods might cause gastrointestinal discomfort, symptoms of which may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloating. Therefore, it's advised to steer clear of both spicy and greasy foods. Also, beverages like carbonated drinks, strong tea, and coffee should be avoided as they contain substances that could be irritating and may adversely affect overall health, not conducive to the patient's rest.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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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.

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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.