In bronchitis – colloquially called airway inflammation – (synonyms: Bronchitis; Rhinobronchitis; Tracheobronchitis; ICD-10-GM J20.-: Acute bronchitis; ICD-10-GM J40.-: Bronchitis not designated as acute or chronic; ICD-10-GM J41.-: Simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis) is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi. Most often, the large bronchi are affected.
A distinction is made between the acute (sudden onset) and chronic (permanent) forms of the disease.Chronic bronchitis is said to occur when cough and sputum occur most days for at least three months each in two consecutive years and other causes have been ruled out.
Two forms are distinguished in chronic bronchitis:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive bronchitis – in addition to inflammation, there is airway obstruction (narrowing of the airways)
In acute bronchitis, more than 90% of cases are viral infections. The disease is most commonly caused by RS, adeno, coxsackie and ECHO viruses in children and most commonly caused by rhino, corona, influenza and parainfluenza viruses and SARS coronavirus in adults.
Acute bronchitis may also occur in babies and young children as obstructive bronchitis (formerly also spastic bronchitis). This form is less common in adults.
Seasonal accumulation of the disease: Acute bronchitis occurs more frequently in autumn and winter (about twice as often).
The transmission of the pathogen (infection route) of acute bronchitis occurs via droplets that are produced when coughing and sneezing and are absorbed by the other person through the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and possibly the eye (droplet infection) or aerogenically (through droplet nuclei (aerosols) containing the pathogen in the exhaled air).Chronic bronchitis is no longer contagious.
The duration of illness of acute bronchitis is usually 7-10 days.
Sex ratio: males to females is 3: 1 (chronic bronchitis).
Frequency peak: The frequency of acute as well as chronic bronchitis increases with age. Chronic bronchitis occurs predominantly in the 4th decade of life.
The prevalence (disease frequency) of chronic bronchitis is about 15% in men and 8% in women (in Germany). In heavy smokers, the prevalence can increase to 80%.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) of acute bronchitis is about 80 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per week (in Germany).
Course and prognosis: In most cases, acute bronchitis progresses without complications. After a few days, the cough resolves and the affected person can cough up. Secretolytics (expectorants), antitussives (cough suppressants) or antibiotics are used as required. Possible complications of acute bronchitis occur primarily in older or immunocompromised persons and may include pneumonia or chronic bronchitis.8 to 10 days after a viral infection, some patients may develop secondary infections due to pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae, staphylococci or streptococci.As part of the treatment of chronic bronchitis, the avoidance of the triggering noxae (pollutants) is in the foreground. This also includes nicotine abstinence (refraining from tobacco consumption). As a rule, chronic bronchitis can then still be cured. If the noxious substances continue to be inhaled, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema (overinflation of the lungs) can develop. COPD is no longer reversible.
