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Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi of the lungs, that causes the cilia of the bronchial epithelial cells to stop functioning.

Like many disorders, bronchitis can be acute (short-term), or chronic (long-lasting). Chronic bronchitis is a problem commonly seen in smokers, whereas acute bronchitis is almost always caused by viral infection, as elucidated by recent studies.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

The symptoms of acute and chronic bronchitis include:

  • Discolored mucus (white, yellow, or green) caused by peroxidase released by neutrophils
  • Bloody (pink, red or rust-streaked) mucus (should be evaluated by a doctor)
  • Shortness of breath, worsened by activity
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Low-grade fever
  • Chest discomfort
  • Malaise

Acute bronchitis symptoms

  • usually lasts about 7 to 10 days.
  • can last up to 90 days.
  • rarely responds to antibiotics due to its primarily viral etiology and should be treated symptomatically.
  • complications are more likely with comorbidities such as smoking, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic obstructive respiratory disease, where the airways are obstructed by plugs of mucus.

Posted by Staff at May 18, 2005 2:29 AM

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Comments Archive

is bronchitis contagous
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STAFF
It can be, depending on what type of infection it is. Bronchitis is both a symptom and location of infection. It in and of itself is not a technical contagious disease. But, more often than not, what is causing the bronchitis is in fact contagious.

Posted by: paul at April 21, 2006 2:54 AM

I finally went to the doctor and the doctor advise me that I had bronchitist. considering i had the cough and the symptoms for more than 2 weeks, she prescribed a 10 day antibiotics along w/a albuterol inhaler and i also take mucinex dm. with all this, can I still pass this to someone?. only symptoms now are the cough along w/ the mucus..please help, do not want to infect anyone, nor take off from work..(its been about a month now)

Posted by: lakisha at October 5, 2006 5:01 PM