Bronchitis - Inflammation of Bronchi
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, usually caused by an infection. Typically, it is a mild disease that can provide a complete cure. However, bronchitis may be severe in people with chronic heart or lung disease and the elderly.
Causes
The infectious bronchitis occurs more frequently in winter. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria and similar microorganisms especially by bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia. Smokers and people who have chronic lung or airway, which interfere with the elimination of particles inspired the bronchi, may have repeated seizures.
Recurrent infections can result from chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, allergies and, in children, inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils) and adenoids. The irritative bronchitis can be caused by several kinds of powders, fumes from strong acids, ammonia, some organic solvents, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and bromide; air pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide, tobacco smoke and other fumes.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Often, infectious bronchitis begins with the symptoms of a common cold: runny nose, tiredness, chills, backache and muscle aches, slight fever and sore throat. Generally, the onset of cough indicates the beginning of bronchitis. Initially, the cough is dry and may remain so. However after a day or two, the individual often begins to expectorate sputum small amounts of whitish or yellowish. Later, he begins to cough up a much larger amount of sputum, with a yellowish or greenish.
The individual with severe bronchitis may have a high fever for three to five days and, after that, it starts to show improvement in most symptoms. However, the cough may persist for several weeks. When there is airway obstruction, the person may experience dyspnea (difficulty breathing). The wheezing is common, especially after coughing. The patient may develop pneumonia. In general, bronchitis is diagnosed based on symptoms, primarily in the characteristics of sputum expectorated by coughing. If symptoms persist, it may be necessary to perform a chest x-ray to ensure that the individual does not progressed to pneumonia.
Treatment
Adults may take aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever and discomfort caused by the disease, but children should only use acetaminophen. The rest and drinking plenty of fluids are useful. Antibiotics are prescribed for individuals with symptoms that suggest that its bronchitis is due to a bacterial infection (such as those whose sputum is yellowish or greenish or have a high fever) and for those with pre-existing lung disease.
For adults, may be prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, a tetracycline or ampicillin. Often, when there is suspicion of an infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, erythromycin is administered. For children, the usual choice is amoxicillin. However, antibiotics are not useful when the infection is viral. Sputum culture may indicate the need for a different type of antibiotic occurs when persistence or recurrence of symptoms, or when it is severe bronchitis.
Causes
The infectious bronchitis occurs more frequently in winter. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria and similar microorganisms especially by bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia. Smokers and people who have chronic lung or airway, which interfere with the elimination of particles inspired the bronchi, may have repeated seizures.
Recurrent infections can result from chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, allergies and, in children, inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils) and adenoids. The irritative bronchitis can be caused by several kinds of powders, fumes from strong acids, ammonia, some organic solvents, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and bromide; air pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide, tobacco smoke and other fumes.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Often, infectious bronchitis begins with the symptoms of a common cold: runny nose, tiredness, chills, backache and muscle aches, slight fever and sore throat. Generally, the onset of cough indicates the beginning of bronchitis. Initially, the cough is dry and may remain so. However after a day or two, the individual often begins to expectorate sputum small amounts of whitish or yellowish. Later, he begins to cough up a much larger amount of sputum, with a yellowish or greenish.
The individual with severe bronchitis may have a high fever for three to five days and, after that, it starts to show improvement in most symptoms. However, the cough may persist for several weeks. When there is airway obstruction, the person may experience dyspnea (difficulty breathing). The wheezing is common, especially after coughing. The patient may develop pneumonia. In general, bronchitis is diagnosed based on symptoms, primarily in the characteristics of sputum expectorated by coughing. If symptoms persist, it may be necessary to perform a chest x-ray to ensure that the individual does not progressed to pneumonia.
Treatment
Adults may take aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever and discomfort caused by the disease, but children should only use acetaminophen. The rest and drinking plenty of fluids are useful. Antibiotics are prescribed for individuals with symptoms that suggest that its bronchitis is due to a bacterial infection (such as those whose sputum is yellowish or greenish or have a high fever) and for those with pre-existing lung disease.
For adults, may be prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, a tetracycline or ampicillin. Often, when there is suspicion of an infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, erythromycin is administered. For children, the usual choice is amoxicillin. However, antibiotics are not useful when the infection is viral. Sputum culture may indicate the need for a different type of antibiotic occurs when persistence or recurrence of symptoms, or when it is severe bronchitis.
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