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Acute inflammation of the bronchi (acute bronchitis)

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Acute  is one of the most common diseases ever. This is   or  . It is usually caused by  (but it can also be caused by  or other  ) and disappears within a few weeks.

Depending on which part  is affected  , we distinguish the following medical terms:

  •  (  ),
  •  (  ),
  •  (  ),
  •  (  ).

Typical  occurs most often in the winter months and subsides within two to three weeks. However, the cough can persist for up to eight weeks, in which case it is referred to as  [1]. In  bronchitis, the larger bronchi are usually affected.

What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?

The most prominent signs of acute bronchitis are cough and irritation to cough. Other symptoms include:

  • pain behind  when coughing,
  • thick  (  ) and its increased production,
  •  ,
  •  or  pain ,
  • unusual sounds when breathing (wheezing or wheezing),
  •  .

Those affected usually also have  , hoarseness or  is often present at the same time .

Note: Bronchitis symptoms can be similar to those of  , such as  , fever, and joint pain. Unlike COVID-19, which has a wide spectrum of symptoms (disturbance  or  (with mucus  ) and possibly shortness of breath is more typical for classic bronchitis . For more information on  , testing, treatment, and what to watch out for, see the COVID-19 category .

What are the causes of acute bronchitis?

 acute bronchitis are various – from  to irritants from the environment (e.g. at work). Acute bronchitis can have the following causes:

  • viruses – the most common triggers of acute bronchitis; in particular, these are  ,  ,  , common  (careful, not to be confused with  ),  or influenza viruses;
  •  such as  or  ;
  • irritants such as dust or gases in the workplace;  to fine dust is particularly dangerous ;
  • very rarely fungi (e.g.  of the respiratory tract, caused by  ).

Acute bronchitis also occurs in connection with other diseases, e.g. measles or whooping cough . If pathogens are the cause, they are usually transmitted by  or contact.

There are also other  that can promote the development of acute bronchitis. These include smoking , a weakened  and some  , such as  . The local labor inspectorate or  should provide you with information about the risks of developing bronchitis with regard to exposure at work . Information about air pollution can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Environment [2] or the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute [3].

How to prevent acute bronchitis

Contagion with infectious acute bronchitis and possibly its further spread can be prevented to a certain extent by observing  measures:

  • wash your hands regularly
  • don’t touch your face with your hands
  • don’t cough into your hand, but into your elbow
  • avoid shaking hands with others, hugging, etc., especially if you observe symptoms of illness in them,
  • if you have symptoms  , do not go to work and treat yourself at home,
  • wash children’s toys (especially with confirmed  syncytial virus in children).

Acute bronchitis can also occur in connection with whooping cough , measles , influenza and pneumococcal infections , but it is possible to get vaccinated against all these diseases . The usefulness of vitamin  ,  , herbal  or regular exercise in  has not yet been scientifically proven.

Smoking also increases the risk of bronchitis; therefore, not smoking has a preventive effect. You can get information about minimizing the risk of disease transmission and the general burden of the respiratory tract at the workplace, mainly from the labor inspectorate and from company doctors or specialists in  .

How is acute bronchitis 

Information about the duration and extent of symptoms is obtained by the doctor when taking  . The doctor will also examine  and throat; listening (  ) and tapping (  ) on  cavity can then help him clarify and confirm the diagnosis. In particular, in severe forms of acute bronchitis or when  it is necessary to carry out further examinations (e.g. lung  or sputum sample collection).

In case of rapid onset of symptoms and fever, it may be useful to perform a test for influenza viruses during the “flu season”, especially in patients who are  for a long time ,  ill, or in whom the doctor assesses the risk  as high.

The doctor makes a diagnosis of acute bronchitis if the history taking and examination reveal typical symptoms and nothing indicates another disease.

How is acute bronchitis treated?

Acute bronchitis does not necessarily need to be treated [4]. It usually disappears on its own after two to three weeks at the latest. However, in some cases,  can help . In any case, physical rest is recommended. Some patients also appreciate drinking tea or large amounts of soup. However, it has not yet been scientifically proven whether these measures actually help.

When does it make sense to administer medication?

Medicines can help relieve symptoms such as pain or fever. However, the use of cough suppressants (  ) is only suitable in exceptional cases of severe cough (e.g. temporarily at night). Antitussives are intended to suppress the urge to cough. In the event of sputum, their use is not recommended in any case, as it prevents mucus from being coughed up, which accumulates in the airways. Coughing also helps to remove  Antitussives should not be used for  (i.e. cough lasting more than eight weeks), COPD and asthma . In exceptional cases, a doctor may prescribe them for a long-lasting cough, which can occur, for example, as a result of whooping cough , asthma or other respiratory diseases.

Among the most commonly used cough suppressants are  and dextromethorphan. Codeine is a weak  , and is therefore only available by prescription. Currently,  dextromethorphan is thought to at least shorten the duration of the cough or reduce its intensity. The same applies to  expectorant drug ambroxol. Other expectorant drugs have not yet been shown to actually help with acute bronchitis. In any case, they should only be used if the loosened mucus can also be coughed up (e.g. they should not be used if the airways are narrowed). With so-called spastic bronchitis, it is necessary to use  , as the airways are narrowed in this disease.

Since acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses,  do not help in these cases – they only work against bacteria. The administration of antibiotics may nevertheless be useful in preventing the possible development of complications (e.g. the development of subsequent bacterial pneumonia). If the cause of bronchitis is a yeast infection, the doctor will prescribe  .

What should you watch out for when using herbal preparations or home remedies?

Herbal preparations, such as extracts of geranium root or primrose, thyme, eucalyptus and ivy leaves, can slightly relieve cough and promote expectoration in acute bronchitis. However, the occurrence  and  (e.g.  , indigestion, skin reactions) is also possible with herbal preparations . Honey dissolved in warm tea can help suppress a cough. However, it is not suitable for children under one year of age, as infants can react negatively to some bacteria that are sometimes present in honey.

If the upper respiratory tract is also affected, products containing  , such as cough syrups or pastilles, can have a positive effect on the cough. If you want to do inhalations yourself (e.g. with essential oils or salts), consult your doctor or  first . For example, some essential oils should not be used in children, certain forms of bronchitis or certain  . Inhalation of salt can cause  in some cases .

It is generally recommended to consult a professional before using “home remedies”. This is because even herbal remedies can have  or drug interactions. Your doctor or pharmacist can also give you other tips for a speedy recovery.

Avoid irritating or allergenic substances

If acute bronchitis was triggered by irritants or allergens, e.g. at the workplace, it is important to avoid them or at least take measures to minimize contact with them. If the cause of acute bronchitis is inhaled irritant gases, the affected person is observed in the hospital for 24 hours, as  may develop . In the case of occupational exposure, an occupational physician should be involved in  so that the harmful effects for the employee are minimized and  is professionally documented.

 of the respiratory tract can develop into so-called  (bronchial hypersensitivity). In this case, the cough persists for several weeks and asthma-like attacks may also occur. Your doctor may then recommend you take asthma medication.

Warning: Medicines, including over-the-counter ones, should only be taken after consulting a doctor or pharmacist. Adverse side effects and/or interactions with other medications may occur. In addition, some medicines are not suitable for children or it is necessary to adjust their dosage!

What can I do alone?

Especially in the first days after the onset of the disease, it is important to rest and avoid physical exertion, including any sports. In case of high fever, bed rest is recommended. Above all, elderly people should take care of themselves during acute bronchitis, but within the limits of their overall health, they should also move, not just lie down. Otherwise, complications may occur, e.g. pneumonia or  .

The effectiveness of the oft-given advice to “drink a lot” has not yet been unequivocally scientifically researched. Especially for people suffering from any chronic disease, the amount of fluids consumed should be consulted with a doctor. Patients with bronchitis should also avoid smoking (including passive smoking). It can also be helpful to do breathing exercises under the guidance  . The doctor will also recommend appropriate measures based on whether the cough is dry or accompanied by secretions.

When to seek medical help?

If the following warning signs appear, it is necessary to seek medical help:

  • very high fever,
  • marked malaise,  and night sweats,
  • rapid breathing,
  • accelerated  ,
  •  in coughed up mucus
  • wheezing sounds when breathing.

In case of acute shortness of breath , the emergency medical service must be called immediately (emergency line 155).

For people with a weakened  system or chronic  or lung disease, it may be appropriate to seek medical help even for less significant problems.

Note: Symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to those of COVID-19. For more information on what to watch out for, see the COVID-19 category .

Who can I contact?

If you suspect that you are suffering from bronchitis (either chronic or acute), you can contact your  , a specialist in  (  ) or  (  ). An occupational doctor or company doctor can also help you. If a child or teenager suffers from bronchitis, do not delay a visit  .

 

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