is
Inflammation of the
Bronchi (medium-size airways) in the
Lung s. ''Acute bronchitis'' is usually caused by
Virus es or
Bacteria and may last several days or weeks. ''Chronic bronchitis'' is not necessarily caused by infection and is generally part of a syndrome called
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); it is defined clinically as a persistent
Cough that produces
Sputum (phlegm), for at least three months in two consecutive years. The remainder of this article deals with ''acute'' bronchitis only. This is caused by a viral infection, such as a cold, or a bacterial infection. It also can result from breathing irritating fumes, such as those of tobacco smoke or polluted air. Constant coughing is the main sympton. Either type(chronic or acute)may lead to asthma or pneumonia.
is characterized by
Cough and
Sputum (phlegm) production and symptoms related to the obstruction of the airways by the inflamed airways and the phlegm, such as shortness of breath and wheezing. Diagnosis is by clinical examination and sometimes
Microbiological examination of the phlegm. Treatment may be with
Antibiotic s (if a bacterial infection is suspected),
Bronchodilator s (to relieve breathlessness) and other treatments.
Bronchitis may be indicated by an
Expectorating Cough ,shortness of breath (
Dyspnea ) and wheezing and occasionally
Chest Pain s,
Fever , and
Fatigue or
Malaise . Sputum characteristics do not correspond with a particular etiology (ie, viral vs bacterial).
A
Physical Examination will often reveal decreased intensity of breath sounds, wheeze (
Rhonchi ) and prolonged
Expiration . Most doctors rely on the presence of a persistent dry or wet cough as evidence of bronchitis.
A variety of tests may be performed in patients presenting with cough and shortness of breath:
'''''
Acute bronchitis often follows a cold or infection. The earliest clinical feature of bronchitis is increased secretion of mucus by
Submucosal Gland s of the
Trachea and
Bronchi . Damage caused by irritation of the airways leads to
Inflammation and infiltration of the lung tissue by neutrophils. The
Neutrophils release substances that promote mucosal hypersecretion.
- Neutrophils infiltrate the lung tissue, aided by damage to the airways caused by irritation.
- Damage caused by irritation of the airways leads to inflammation and leads to neutrophils being present
- Mucosal hypersecretion is promoted by a substance released by neutrophils
- Further obstruction to the airways is caused by more goblet cells in the small airways. This is typical of chronic bronchitis
- Although infection is not the reason or cause of chronic bronchitis it is seen to aid in sustaining the bronchitis.'''''
In most cases, acute bronchitis is caused by
2007 .
If antibiotics are used, a
Meta-analysis found that "amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, macrolides, second-generation or third-generation cephalosporins, and quinolones" may be more effective.
1
To help the bronchial tree heal faster and not make bronchitis worse,
2007 .
Acute bronchitis usually lasts approximately 20 or 30 days. It may accompany or closely follow a cold or the flu, or may occur on its own. Bronchitis usually begins with a dry cough, including waking the sufferer at night. After a few days it progresses to a wetter or productive cough, which may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and headache. The fever, fatigue, and malaise may last only a few days; but the wet cough may last up to several weeks. For some people, the cough may last as long as a few months, as the bronchial tubes heal slowly.
Should the cough last longer than a month, some doctors may issue a referral to an
Otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) to see if a condition other than bronchitis is causing the irritation. It is possible that having irritated bronchial tubes for as long as a few months may inspire asthmatic conditions in some patients.
In addition, if one starts coughing mucus tinged with blood, one should see a doctor. In rare cases, doctors may conduct tests to see if the cause is a serious condition such as
Tuberculosis or
Lung Cancer .
In those at risk for bronchitis,
Vaccination with
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) may reduce the risk of acute bronchitis.
In 1985,
University Of Newcastle, Australia Professor Robert Clancy developed an oral vaccine for acute bronchitis. This vaccine was commercialised four years later as
Broncostat .
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Bronchitis was originally named and described by
Charles Bedham in
1808 .
Online medical references:
