Acute Bronchitis By: Rachel Kim

What it is … Acute Bronchitis is the inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs. Usually this condition lasts for several days or weeks at a time.

Causes … This condition is caused by contagious bacterial or viral pathogens, which are harmful microbes (Viruses and bacteria) in the air (Smoke, dust, pollutants…) Some causing viruses include: Respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, influenza (these cause other diseases that cause acute bronchitis) (Infections sustain bronchitis but doesn’t necessarily cause it)

The Symptoms … Most common symptoms include: excessive coughing, phlegm production, shortness of breath, wheezing, sore throat, chest congestions Occasionally, there can be chest pains, fever, fatigue, and malaise Symptoms are present throughout whole the time one is infected bronchitis until it is gone completely

Pictures…

Treatments …? Antibiotics- (  Pretty self explanatory… but used only when lungs have bacterial infection, not viral) Smoking cessation- In some cases, all a person has to do is temporarily stop smoking to quicken the healing process Antihistamines- This treatment itself is harmful (may not work). Antihistamines thicken the mucus secretions, results in expelling infectious mucus A lot of times, bronchitis will just subside in time with plenty of rest and fluid consumption

Prevention … There’s an oral vaccine one can take that’s been developed in the 1980’s Wash your hands frequently with good soap Quit smoking cold turkey

Works Cited ommon/infections/common/mulitsource/677.ht ml ommon/infections/common/mulitsource/677.ht ml bronchitis.html bronchitis.html pd/nutshell/index.cfm pd/nutshell/index.cfm