Introduction
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, which form the lower part of the respiratory tract. Those affected have the typical symptoms of a cold, such as coughing with expectoration of phlegm, fever, headache and aching limbs. Bronchitis is caused by viruses in 90% of cases, in which case it is also called viral bronchitis. It can also be caused by bacteria or other pathogens. Although viral bronchitis often resolves itself, it should not be underestimated, as persistent and untreated inflammations can lead to sometimes severe diseases of the lungs.
Symptoms of viral bronchitis
Like all infectious inflammations of the respiratory tract, viral bronchitis is accompanied by typical cold and flu symptoms. These include above all fever, chills, sensitivity to cold, aching limbs, headaches, rhinitis, coughing and increased mucus formation. The mucus that can be coughed up is in most cases clear and transparent.
If, in addition to the viral bronchitis, there is a second infection with bacteria, i.e. a so-called superinfection, the mucus is often purulent yellow. In special forms of viral bronchitis, the symptoms are usually much more pronounced and can become dangerous. A special form is the RSV infection (respiratory syncytial virus).
It usually occurs in infancy and childhood and is associated with very high fever and shortness of breath. The symptoms of viral bronchitis usually disappear on their own, but can be accompanied by complications, especially in older, weakened or pre-diseased patients. You can find more detailed information on this topic at Symptoms of bronchitis Do your symptoms focus on increased mucus production without necessarily having the other symptoms mentioned above?
Then you should definitely read the following page: Mucus in the bronchial tubes – what is behind it and what is the treatment? The course of the disease and the constellation of symptoms can take on different forms in each person. In many cases, viral bronchitis can begin with mild symptoms such as a scratchy throat, cough, cold, aching limbs and a slight rise in temperature.
In the course of the disease, the cough usually becomes more severe as viscous mucus accumulates, which irritates the mucous membranes. The body liquefies this mucus over time, whereupon the cough becomes looser and the mucus can be coughed up. Only when this has been done completely can the mucus membranes calm down, which also reduces the coughing irritation.
In the days following the illness, exhaustion may persist. It is important to take up physical or sports activities only a few days after the last symptoms have appeared, so that a relapse does not occur. In rare cases, patients with a weak immune system or a poor immune system may experience complications and secondary diseases.
This is especially true for elderly people, heavy smokers, diabetics and patients with chronic diseases of the lungs (e.g. COPD) or heart. Consequential diseases can be a sudden deterioration in lung function with shortness of breath, which can become life-threatening. However, the virus infection can also lead to a second infection with bacteria, a so-called superinfection, which intensifies the existing symptoms and prolongs the course of the disease considerably. In rare cases, it is possible that the bronchitis does not heal but remains for a longer period of time or even forever. In this case, one speaks of chronic bronchitis.
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