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Acute tracheobronchitis
Is acute bronchitis easily transmissible?
Acute bronchitis has a relatively high incidence rate in clinical settings, often occurring in populations with lowered immune functions. Typically, acute bronchitis caused by bacterial infection does not have the potential to spread. However, acute bronchitis resulting from viral, mycoplasma, or chlamydia infections can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, especially among individuals with compromised immune systems. If these individuals come into contact with others infected by such viruses or pathogens, transmission is likely to occur. Therefore, once acute bronchitis is accurately diagnosed, it is crucial to administer timely anti-infection treatment to significantly reduce the chances of transmission.
Symptoms of acute bronchitis exacerbation
Acute bronchitis is a very common type of lower respiratory tract infectious disease seen clinically, mainly caused by infections. The symptoms induced by acute bronchitis typically include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other clinical symptoms. During the acute phase of acute bronchitis, if it is not effectively treated, the condition may spread further and worsen. Often, if acute bronchitis is not well-treated, the condition might spread downwards, causing pneumonia. Pneumonia can vary from mild to severe. In cases of severe pneumonia, the patient may experience symptoms such as coughing and fever, typically with body temperatures ranging from 39 to 40°C, and even chest tightness, shortness of breath, and respiratory difficulties. Therefore, acute bronchitis should be taken very seriously and treated promptly to prevent the spread of the condition and avoid lung infections, which could further exacerbate some symptoms.
How to treat acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, cough, and productive cough. So, how should one treat acute bronchitis? Firstly, it's important to rest, stay warm, drink plenty of water, consume a light and easily digestible diet, and ensure that nutrition is adequate. Additionally, if the cause is a pathogenic infection, such as a bacterial infection, it is necessary to choose an effective antibiotic for treatment. Furthermore, symptomatic treatment is necessary; antitussive drugs can be used for a dry cough, expectorants for a productive cough, and antipyretic analgesics for fever. If there is bronchial spasm accompanied by chest tightness and asthma, asthma medications may be used.
The difference between bronchitis and tracheitis.
Bronchitis and tracheitis are not standardized diagnoses. For bronchitis, it often refers to acute bronchitis, while tracheitis often refers to chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is an infectious respiratory disease, which mostly presents with symptoms of coughing, and may also be accompanied by sputum production and chest tightness. However, the condition of the patient is usually completely curable. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a chronic respiratory disease. This condition can manifest as chronic cough, sputum production, and chest tightness, and the patient's condition may progress gradually, even possibly complicating with chronic respiratory failure and cor pulmonale. Therefore, chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis are two completely different diseases. Additionally, it is important to note that sometimes bronchitis may also refer to chronic bronchitis, and tracheitis may also refer to acute bronchitis, so it is impossible to completely distinguish between bronchitis and tracheitis.
How many days of IV treatment are required for acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is mostly caused by viral infections, and there is generally no specific medication for it. Therefore, patients with acute bronchitis usually do not need IV therapy. However, if a patient with acute bronchitis also has significant gastrointestinal symptoms, poor appetite, or even drinks less water, IV therapy is needed. The purpose of IV therapy is not to treat the virus but to hydrate the patient and prevent dehydration. Of course, when a patient with acute bronchitis has purulent sputum, it indicates a bacterial infection. In this case, IV therapy can be considered. The usual treatment duration for acute bacterial bronchitis is 5-7 days, but this must also take into account the patient's specific conditions and results of tests like the complete blood count, and cannot be generalized.
Do you need to be hospitalized for acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is a condition that develops quickly, occurs suddenly, and often has severe symptoms, for which hospital treatment is recommended. Hospitalization allows for effective monitoring of the condition and offers better medical facilities, including oxygen therapy and sputum extraction to relieve discomfort. The main treatment principle, apart from symptomatic treatment, involves choosing sensitive antimicrobial agents for anti-inflammatory treatment. Chest X-rays, complete blood counts, mycoplasma tests, and C-reactive protein tests can be carried out to diagnose the specific type of pathogenic infection. If acute bronchitis is caused by bacterial infection, intravenous administration of penicillin-type antibiotics can be used for anti-inflammatory treatment to control the infection. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, depending on specific circumstances.)
Can you eat taro with acute bronchitis?
Patients with acute bronchitis can appropriately eat taro, but it is recommended that they avoid spicy, greasy, and cold foods; however, eating taro is still acceptable. Patients with acute bronchitis should also avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, strong tea, and smoking. Additionally, they should avoid excessive fatigue, staying up late, and other similar situations. For acute bronchitis patients, it's important to provide symptomatic cough treatment and monitor their condition. Although some acute bronchitis cases are caused by viral infections, and most patients have viral infections, these patients do not necessarily require antibiotic treatment. However, if a patient has conspicuous purulent sputum, it could be an indication of bacterial bronchitis, or even a possible complication with pneumonia, and these conditions require active investigation and might need anti-infection treatment.
How to manage acute bronchitis
First, it is important to rest in bed during the acute phase, drink plenty of water, keep warm, and the main principle is to control the infection and provide symptomatic treatment. For instance, patients with significant fever and those whose sputum has turned purulent should choose antibiotics early, such as intramuscular penicillin injections or oral co-trimoxazole. Generally, the medication can be stopped 1-3 days after the fever subsides. For symptomatic treatment, antipyretic analgesics such as aspirin can be used to address symptoms like fever, headache, and general fatigue. Regularly, one should strengthen their cold resistance through exercise, it is suggested to wash the face with cold water throughout the year, and to exercise more to boost immune capabilities. Pay attention to environmental hygiene, improve occupational and public health standards. Prevent the inhalation of irritant gases and dust into the respiratory tract. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific circumstances.)
Is acute bronchitis serious?
Patients with acute bronchitis usually do not experience severe conditions. Acute bronchitis typically presents symptoms of dry cough and is generally self-limiting, usually not leading to severe consequences. However, it is important to note that patients with acute bronchitis may sometimes experience significant chest tightness and wheezing, which can be particularly prominent in children and may even lead to respiratory failure. Additionally, acute bronchitis can sometimes be associated with other conditions, such as bacterial pneumonia. If combined with bacterial pneumonia, it could also lead to severe complications like respiratory failure. In such cases, the patient's condition is relatively severe, and close observation of the condition is necessary.
Differences between acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis
Generally speaking, acute bronchitis has a sudden onset, with patients often experiencing symptoms such as fever, coughing, and coughing up phlegm, and some patients may have wheezing. With effective treatment, recovery usually occurs within two to three weeks. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, typically has a longer course of illness with recurring symptoms, including coughing, coughing up phlegm, chest tightness, and wheezing. The duration of the illness often exceeds two years, with episodes typically lasting more than three months each year.