Acute infectious bronchitis gives you a sore throat, a bad cough, fever, body aches or headaches! Synonymous with inflammation of the bronchi, this disease is nonetheless banal and perfectly benign. No need to panic, a simple surveillance is generally enough for it to disappear in a few days.
Summary
Acute bronchitis: definition
Symptoms of bronchitis
A precise diagnosis necessary
Treat bronchitis
Hygiene measures to limit the contagion in case of bronchitis
Cough bronchitis
Acute bronchitis: definition
Acute bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchi . This disease most often results from a viral, and sometimes bacterial, infection. The first signs of bronchitis are often a cold or nasopharyngitis. Then come a dry cough , then in 50% of cases a fatty cough appears. Sometimes patient feels low back pain due to this problem. We take stock of this most often mild disease.
Bronchitis mainly appears in autumn and winter, it often occurs in small epidemics.
Symptoms of bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is characterized by:
A generally low and variable fever during the day,
Body aches,
General malaise;
A burning sensation in the chest at the level of the sternum and an ugly cough.
It also happens that before bronchitis, a small nasopharyngitis or a simple cold have already bothered you, the infection then "fell" on your bronchi. Secondly, the dry cough becomes oily and the other signs disappear.
A precise diagnosis necessary
To diagnose bronchitis, a full clinical examination and auscultation by the doctor are more than enough. We often forget it but bronchitis is a perfectly common disease.
On the other hand, it can be more severe in people with asthma, with an increase in symptoms and a higher risk of bacterial infection.
Bronchitis in smokers will help raise awareness of the very serious chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD: chronic bronchitis with far more alarming consequences on health than the simple seasonal epidemic of acute bronchitis.
Treat bronchitis
The doctor has several weapons to fight against bronchitis:
Generally viral, bronchitis cannot be treated with antibiotics . The cough is initially dry and is often complicated by a fatty cough with mucus at the end of the journey. It should disappear in 5 to 10 days. Note that in the majority of cases even in slipped disc, bronchitis spontaneously progresses to recovery in healthy children and adults. But if in a second step, the bacteria mix in the game (persistent or increased fever, fatigue), a re-evaluation at a few days may lead to the prescription of antibiotics but this is in no way an obligation and d 'a systematic act.
On the other hand, if the patient is a subject at risk ( asthmatic , heavy smoker or subject to chronic bronchitis), it is possible that the doctor chooses to prescribe antibiotics to avoid any risk of secondary infection. Likewise, if the attending physician suspects pneumonia , he will order a chest x-ray.
To treat bronchitis, the doctor may prescribe cough suppressants in the form of capsules or oral solution. Now there are sugar-free forms. However, there is no consensus on their effectiveness, especially since in some patients, the abolition of the cough reflex can lead to bronchial congestion. In addition, the majority of cough suppressants are contraindicated in children under 2 years of age.
Against fever, he may prescribe antipyretics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If the nose is runny or blocked, drops to disinfect the nasal cavity may be helpful.
Finally for the comfort of the patient, bronchial thinners may be prescribed at the end of the course for oily coughs. Again, their effectiveness is not unanimous. Good hydration is necessary to thin the phlegm.
Hygiene measures to limit the contagion in case of bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is most often of viral origin. It is therefore very contagious. To avoid contaminating those around you, a few simple actions can be adopted.
Wash your hands regularly with soap.
Use disposable tissues and discard them after use.
Cover your mouth when you cough.
Avoid contact with fragile people: infants, children, the elderly.
Ventilate your accommodation once a day for about 20 minutes.
