‘Academic’ Intelligence: Acute Bronchitis, a Brief Overview

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Today’s entry shall opt to provide the reader with a brief overview of the acute bronchitis by looking at its symptoms, duration as well as various ways of treating the condition in a timely and effective manner.

What is ‘acute bronchitis’?

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi (medium-size airways) in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks.

(See << http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_bronchitis >>)

To put simply, then, it is a form of chest infection which is normally contracted through an earlier condition such as the common cold or influenza (the flu).

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom is a somewhat dry chesty cough which may bring up mucus. Other symptoms include chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, runny or blocked nose, fever and malaise.

How is bronchitis diagnosed?

Do NOT try to self- diagnose by referring to various websites; acute bronchitis is a very serious condition which, if not treated on time, can lead to chronic bronchitis (for which there isn’t a cure yet...).

If you notice that you have recently developed a cough which has progressively become worse, contact your GP immediately.

Who develops bronchitis?

Smoking and being exposed to secondary smoke greatly increases the risk of contracting bronchitis. Furthermore, it takes a lot longer for smokers or those often exposed to smoke to recover from the condition.

Others who are more vulnerable to bronchitis include those who have recently suffered, or are suffering from, the common cold and flu.

How long does bronchitis last for?

Acute bronchitis can last from several days to two or three weeks, depending on the strength of your immune system and on the medication that you take.

Although most symptoms are likely to disappear in a few days (if treated properly), the cough is likely to remain for a further couple of weeks.

Should the disease last for more than three weeks, consult your GP immediately as there is a real danger for you to have contracted chronic bronchitis.

How is bronchitis treated?

Unfortunately, antibiotics are only effective when the bronchitis has been caused by a bacterial rather than a viral (common cold or flu) infection. As with other viral infections, the most important thing to do is to drink lots of fluids and rest up.

In addition, try calming down the symptoms by taking anti- inflammatory medicines and paracetamol.

If the chesty cough persists, get some cough syrup to mild it up. Do remember, however, that you must not completely suppress the cough as it is an important way to bring up mucus and remove irritants from the lungs.

Acute bronchitis is a very serious condition which needs to be treated in its early stages as it can easily turn into a chronic disease which will have an incredibly negative impact on your general well- being.

To conclude, although most of us claim to be invincible, I should like to implore you to take such conditions seriously and consult your GP as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms.

After all, there are but a few things that you can effectively do whilst lying in bed; why take the risk?