Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis, often following a bad cold, is characterised by a painful, phlegm-producing cough, fever and back pain. Caused by the spread of viral infections to the lining of the bronchi (tubes that branch into the lungs). This lining, covered with tiny hairs (cilia), is responsible for cleaning the air that you inhale. When infected, these tubes become clogged with mucus, making breathing difficult. It is a condition that clears completely, after the infection passes.

Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, results in permanent damage to the bronchi. This is characterized by an excess release of mucus in the bronchi with the sufferer coughing up mucus every day for at least 3 months. Other symptoms would include, blue skin from lack of oxygen, less oxygen and more carbon dioxide in the blood, and a risk to develop heart and breathing problems. Smoking, long-term infections, air pollution and abnormal growth of the bronchi, are factors most often responsible for chronic bronchitis.

Incubation period:

1-7 days.
 

Treatment:

Treatment for acute bronchitis would include bed rest in a warm, humid room, antibiotics to fight the infection, and sipping on hot liquids to loosen the mucus. Chronic bronchitis often requires additional oxygen, antibiotics, bronchodilators, to help the bronchi to relax and possibly even postural drainage - lying with the head lower than the chest to help the lungs to clear themselves of mucus.
Physiotherapy may also help to dislodge the mucus.

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