Bronchitis

Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic,
meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs.

See also: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Causes
Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat
and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the
airways.This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus.
People at risk for acute bronchitis include:

 The elderly, infants, and young children

 Persons with heart or lung disease
 Smokers

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition. People have a cough that produces excessive mucus. To be diagnosed
with chronic bronchitis, you must have a cough with mucus most days of the month for at least 3 months.
Chronic bronchitis is one type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short. (Emphysema is
another type of COPD.)
The following things can make bronchitis worse:

 Air pollution
 Allergies
 Certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling)
 Infections

Symptoms
The symptoms of either type of bronchitis may include:

 Chest discomfort
 Cough that produces mucus; if it's yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection
 Fatigue
 Fever -- usually low
 Shortness of breath worsened by exertion or mild activity
 Wheezing

Even after acute bronchitis has cleared, you may have a dry, nagging cough that lingers for several weeks.
Additional symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

 Ankle, feet, and leg swelling

 Blue-colored lips from low levels of oxygen
 Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or the flu)

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Abnormal sounds in the lungs
called rales or other abnormal breathing sounds may be heard.
Tests may include:
 Chest x-ray
 Lung function tests provide information that is useful for diagnosis and your outlook.
 Pulse oximetry helps determine the amount of oxygen in your blood. This quick and painless
test uses a device that is placed onto the end of your finger. Arterial blood gas is a more exact
measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, but it requires a needle stick and is more
painful.
 Sputum samples may be taken to check for signs of inflammation or bacterial infection.

Treatment
You DO NOT need antibiotics for acute bronchitis caused by a virus. The infection will generally go
away on its own within 1 week. Take the following steps for some relief:

 Do not smoke
 Drink plenty of fluids
 Rest
 Take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have a fever. DO NOT give aspirin to children
 Use a humidifier or steam in the bathroom

If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways if you
are wheezing. If your doctor thinks that you have a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics may be
prescribed. Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed or recommended.
For any bronchitis, the most important step you can take is to QUIT smoking. If bronchitis is caught
early enough, you can prevent the damage to your lungs.

Outlook (Prognosis)
For acute bronchitis, symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying
lung disorder. However, a dry, hacking cough can linger for a number of months.
The chance for recovery is poor for persons with advanced chronic bronchitis. Early recognition and
treatment, combined with smoking cessation, significantly improve the chance of a good outcome.

Possible Complications
Pneumonia can develop from either acute or chronic bronchitis. If you have chronic bronchitis, you
are more likely to develop recurrent respiratory infections. You may also develop:

 Emphysema
 Right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale
 Pulmonary hypertension

Prevention

 DO NOT smoke.
 Get a yearly flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine as directed by your doctor.
 Reduce your exposure to air pollution.
 Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other
infection.

Sources : http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001087.htm