Acute bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, caused by viruses in 90% of cases. The disease is characterized by severe cough. Usually, acute bronchitis heals within 14 days. However, complications can lead to chronic bronchitis.
What is acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes caused by viruses in 90% of cases. Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the lower respiratory tract that is usually caused by so-called cold viruses, sometimes by bacteria. The bronchi are a system of tubes that branch off the trachea and lead to the lungs. The main bronchi are the two main branches into which the trachea divides. These main bronchi then subdivide into progressively finer branches called bronchioles. The bronchi are lined with a mucous membrane that produces a viscous mucus and is covered with billions of cilia. The mucus traps tiny particles and pathogens to keep them from entering the lungs, and the cilia carry them back out of the airways. In acute bronchitis, this mucous becomes infected and inflamed.
Causes
The causes of acute bronchitis are most commonly viruses, and less commonly bacteria. Acute bronchitis caused by fungi is possible, but happens extremely rarely and only when the immune system is severely weakened. In addition, acute bronchitis can also occur as a precursor or companion to another illness, such as measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, or chickenpox. The viruses that most commonly cause acute bronchitis in adults are flu viruses, such as influenza or rhinoviruses. In children, the disease is usually caused by other viruses, here the so-called RS or ECHO viruses are the triggers. A bacterial infection of the bronchial tubes usually occurs as a secondary infection, i.e. as a consequence of an already existing viral infection. Irritants such as particulate matter, fumes and gases can also trigger acute bronchitis.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Acute bronchitis manifests itself in the initial stage by an irritating cough and a cold and thus resembles a simple cold. However, once the viruses pick up speed, sore throat, headaches, aching limbs and fever are added. Talking becomes increasingly difficult and ends in hoarseness. A very general and comprehensive feeling of illness spreads. Subsequently, a productive cough develops in which secretion is produced and coughed up. If the secretion takes on a yellowish green coloration, a superinfection caused by bacteria has additionally formed. In a few cases, there may also be blood admixtures, indicating injured mucous membranes. These are not of great relevance to the course of the disease, but should be clarified by a doctor to be on the safe side. Sometimes, however, the cough is unproductive and healed in a good week. It can happen that even after a week there is no clear improvement, possibly it has even come to a superinfection. If breathing noises such as wheezing, rattling or possibly shortness of breath still occur, a visit to the doctor is necessary in any case. Acute bronchitis has probably complicated and may become chronic bronchitis or even pneumonia.
Diagnosis and course
The first symptom of acute bronchitis is a dry cough, accompanied by general signs of a cold such as runny nose, fever, fatigue, and aching limbs. The dry cough is usually particularly severe in the morning when the patient wakes up. After a few days, the cough changes, mucus forms and can be coughed up. If the acute bronchitis is caused by viruses, the mucus is of whitish color; in case of bacterial infection, it is purulent and green to yellow. At this stage, one usually feels very fatigued, the cough becomes painful, and sometimes slight streaks of blood are found in the expectorated secretion. The chest burns and breathing sounds become clearly audible. If the symptoms of acute bronchitis do not subside within a few days, it is advisable to consult a doctor. He or she will listen to the lungs and perform an examination of the throat, nose, mouth and ears. A palpation of the throat will show if the lymph nodes are swollen.Further information is provided by a blood test, which can also determine whether a bacterial or viral infection is present. To ensure whether there is acute bronchitis, the doctor can still examine nasal secretions and coughed-up mucus, as well as take an X-ray of the lungs.
Complications
A dry, irritating cough may persist for some time after acute bronchitis has resolved. Pneumonia or another secondary bacterial infection may develop from acute bronchitis. In addition, a hypersensitive bronchial system may develop from acute bronchitis, leading to spastic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis may also develop into chronic obstructive bronchitis. Consequently, patients have an increased risk of developing non-allergic asthma. Bronchial asthma may also develop. Bronchopneumonia may develop in association with acute bronchitis. In this case, the lungs become inflamed in a focal form. The individual foci of inflammation can vary greatly in size and stage of development. For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute bronchitis is particularly dangerous. Acute bronchitis can severely worsen the health of COPD patients. Especially in young children, but also in adults, acute bronchitis can lead to inflammation of the finest bronchial branches, the so-called bronchioles. In rare cases, permanent occlusion of the bronchioles and scarring changes may occur. Infants with acute bronchitis may develop bronchiectasis or permanent airway changes later in life. Bronchial asthma also cannot be ruled out.
When should you see a doctor?
In most cases, acute bronchitis is harmless and also heals without consequences. Therefore, adults who are healthy in themselves can get relief for a period of one to two weeks with classic home remedies such as inhalation with essential oils. If the symptoms do not improve significantly within ten days or if the feeling of illness is aggravated by high fever, exhaustion and bloody sputum, the family doctor should be consulted. Bronchial inflammation once or twice during the cold season is common, especially among kindergarten and school children, and is no cause for alarm. A visit to a general practitioner or pediatrician is quite sufficient. On the other hand, frequent episodes of illness and a slow healing process are often associated with an underlying disease. In this case, it is advisable to consult a specialist in allergology, pneumology (lung diseases) or immunology (immune deficiency). Seniors, patients with bronchial asthma or who have survived a heart attack, as well as babies and small children, are among the patients at risk for acute bronchitis. Because their airways constrict rapidly, any deep-seated cough with or without sputum in these patient groups should be checked immediately by the attending family physician or pediatrician.
Treatment and therapy
If acute bronchitis is mild, it will heal within 14 days and does not require special therapy. If it does not heal on its own and drags on longer, it must be treated with medication to prevent chronic bronchitis from developing. Antibiotics are administered for bacterial infections, but they are not effective for viral infections. In this case, only the symptoms can be alleviated. Drugs that loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up are helpful. Herbal cough suppressants reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane and relieve inflammation. Chemical substances act directly on the coughing center in the brain and thus calm the coughing stimulus. This effect is unfavorable for congested bronchial tubes, as the mucus is then not coughed up and the bronchial tubes become congested. Chemical cough suppressants are therefore more suitable for dry coughs. In addition, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications can be taken for acute bronchitis. It is important to take it easy and take time off. One should drink plenty of fluids, this helps to liquefy the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Chest compresses with cottage cheese or potatoes also have a beneficial effect on the healing process of acute bronchitis.
Outlook and prognosis
Acute bronchitis is rarely a long-lasting medical problem. In most cases, it heals within seven days and after ten days at the latest.Only a dry cough resulting from irritation of the bronchial tubes may persist for a few days longer. In rare cases, the disease lasts for several weeks. Since acute bronchitis often heals on its own within a few days, it is not usually necessary to see a doctor or even go to hospital. The cure is aided by abstaining from smoking, cold air and excessive exertion. Acute bronchitis can also manifest itself if the lungs of the patient are already damaged or if the patient has a weakened immune system. Depending on the type of trigger and the resistance and self-cleaning function of the lungs, it can also turn into chronic bronchitis. A secondary infection can also occur with bacteria that colonize the weakened bronchial mucous membranes. If this is not treated with antibiotics, there is a risk of the disease spreading and an associated risk of further infections of the respiratory tract. In most cases, however, acute bronchitis has no consequences. On average, an adult suffers from it four times a year.
Prevention
There is no immediate prevention against acute bronchitis. However, one can certainly ensure a healthy atmosphere in the respiratory tract by avoiding harmful influences. Smoking and frequent inhalation of irritants and exhaust fumes damage the respiratory system and its ability to defend itself against bacteria and viruses in the long term. A healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and regular exercise in the fresh air strengthen the body, so you do not easily get sick with acute bronchitis.
Aftercare
Acute bronchitis is a disease that often heals spontaneously, but depending on the severity, it may require follow-up care by the doctor or patient. Especially when the disease was associated with fever, the check-up with the doctor after the disease is over is important for follow-up. He can give his consent to take on burdens in everyday life and sports again. In addition, in the case of bacterial illnesses, it is also important to rule out the risk of infection for those around you. After acute bronchitis, the bronchial tubes and upper respiratory tract are very irritated by the constant coughing. Therefore, it is important to take care of the affected structures during the aftercare. Vocal cords may also have been affected by the coughing. Speaking little, clearing the throat with little strain on the vocal cords, and drinking a lot are therefore ways to spare the structures. Lozenges or hot milk with honey can soothe rough throat areas. Fresh air is also good for regenerating bronchial tubes and lungs. If it is too cold, however, walks should not be taken for too long at first. If the cough returns or if you feel listless and have a fever, you should see a doctor. Follow-up care includes detecting a recurrence early and preventing it from spreading to the lungs in advance.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Acute bronchitis must be treated by a doctor, but in addition, simple home remedies can help provide relief. It is important to increase fluid intake so that the stuck mucus in the bronchial tubes liquefies. Herbal teas with anti-inflammatory and expectorant active ingredients, such as thyme, ribwort, chamomile or fennel, preferably sweetened with honey, have proven to be very effective. Plenty of fruit, vegetables and soups, which can be enriched with garlic or ginger according to taste, supplement the amount drunk and ensure an adequate supply of important nutrients and vitamins. Inhalations with sea salt or herbal essences dilate the bronchial tubes and promote expectoration, as do chest compresses with curd or onions. In addition to home remedies, a variety of cough medicines are available in pharmacies that have a cough-quenching or expectorant effect, as needed. Visiting a sauna or steam bath greatly promotes blood circulation to the mucous membranes and can often prevent the spread of viruses in the early stages of the disease – in the advanced stages of the disease, it is better to refrain from doing so due to the high circulatory stress. Physical rest helps the organism to regenerate; in the case of fever, bed rest is necessary. In fever-free patients, light exercise can promote healing, as long as no cold air is inhaled. Abstaining from smoking also has a positive effect on the course of the disease.
