Is acute bronchitis severe?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 30, 2024
00:00
00:00

Acute bronchitis is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract that requires timely treatment. If not treated promptly, it may turn into chronic bronchitis or cause other complications, which are detrimental to health. Therefore, it is important to detect and treat the disease early. If the infection is due to Streptococcus pneumoniae or diplococcus, intravenous drip of penicillin antibiotics can be administered. During the acute phase, it is also advisable to choose antipyretic medications, as well as medications to dilute sputum and relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasms for symptomatic treatment. Early detection and treatment can help prevent complications.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
39sec home-news-image

How long will acute bronchitis take to get better?

Generally, if the disease is detected early and diagnosed, prompt intravenous administration of penicillin antibiotics will lead to recovery in about a week. During the acute phase of inflammation when fever occurs, the diet should consist of liquid or semi-liquid foods, and fever-reducing pain relievers such as compound aspirin or ibuprofen may be taken. If symptoms such as difficulty breathing and wheezing occur, medications like salbutamol or aminophylline can be used to relieve these symptoms, focusing mainly on anti-inflammatory treatment and symptomatic therapy. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
48sec home-news-image

What medicine is used for acute bronchitis?

Generally speaking, two types of medications are needed. One is for symptomatic treatment, and the other is antibiotic therapy. Symptomatic treatment: If there is coughing without sputum or little sputum, cough suppressants can be used. If there is coughing with sputum, expectorants can be chosen. If there are symptoms of chest tightness or shortness of breath, asthma-relieving medications can be used. Fever can be treated with antipyretic and analgesic medications as appropriate. Antibiotic treatment: It can only be used when there is evidence of bacterial infection. Commonly used antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, etc., and these medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
58sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
1min 2sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
50sec home-news-image

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.