Causes of bronchitis

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Bronchitis is mostly caused by the invasion of pathogenic bacteria into the body, affecting the bronchi. Common pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, rhinovirus, adenovirus, mycoplasma, chlamydophila, and it might also be due to infection by pathogenic bacteria such as Bordetella. It often occurs when the body's immune system is compromised, due to staying up late, being exposed to cold, lack of sleep, or getting wet in rain. During the acute phase, symptoms such as high fever, chills, coughing, spitting phlegm, and breathing difficulty may occur. It's important to detect and treat it early to prevent it from turning into chronic bronchitis.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What should be avoided with acute bronchitis?

Patients with acute bronchitis should be cautious about not consuming spicy and greasy foods such as chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, onions, ginger, and garlic. These foods have certain irritants that might worsen the condition of acute bronchitis, hinder recovery, and increase the difficulty of treatment. Additionally, it's important to avoid greasy foods as they are high in calories and not easily digestible, which could burden the digestive system. Consuming such foods might cause gastrointestinal discomfort, symptoms of which may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloating. Therefore, it's advised to steer clear of both spicy and greasy foods. Also, beverages like carbonated drinks, strong tea, and coffee should be avoided as they contain substances that could be irritating and may adversely affect overall health, not conducive to the patient's rest.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Does acute bronchitis cause fever?

First, we need to know that acute bronchitis refers to the acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa caused by biological, physical, chemical stimulation, or allergens. The main symptoms in most patients are cough and expectoration. The cough usually presents as a dry cough or a small amount of viscous sputum. Over time, the amount of sputum may increase, or the cough may worsen. A small proportion of patients may have bloody sputum. The cough and expectoration can last for two to three weeks, and in very rare cases, some patients may develop chronic bronchitis if the condition does not resolve. However, for most patients, the primary manifestations are still localized, that is, symptoms like cough and sputum. Systemic symptoms, such as fever, generally present mildly.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How long does it take for an infusion for acute bronchitis?

The duration of infusion therapy for bronchitis should be determined based on the pathogen causing the infection, the patient's constitution, and specific symptoms; generally, there is no fixed time frame. In normal cases, if immunity is normal, acute bronchitis can be treated with infusion therapy for about seven to ten days, and patients with mild symptoms can fully recover in three to five days. If the patient is frail, has low immunity, or if the medication is not effective against the pathogen, the course of the disease may be longer, requiring up to half a month or even more than twenty days. The specific duration should be decided based on clinical symptoms and the pathogen involved.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.)