How is acute bronchitis treated?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Firstly, general treatment involves plenty of rest, drinking water, quitting smoking, avoiding strenuous activities, and so on. Secondly, medication is used, starting with symptomatic treatment. For example, for a cough with little or no phlegm, cough suppressants can be used; for thick sputum, expectorants are needed; antipyretic analgesics can be used for fever; and if there is bronchospasm accompanied by chest tightness and shortness of breath, asthma medication is necessary. Additionally, the use of antibiotics is dependent on evidence of bacterial infection, and common types such as macrolides, penicillins, and cephalosporins must be used under the guidance of a physician.

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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 Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
43sec home-news-image

How is acute bronchitis treated?

Firstly, general treatment involves plenty of rest, drinking water, quitting smoking, avoiding strenuous activities, and so on. Secondly, medication is used, starting with symptomatic treatment. For example, for a cough with little or no phlegm, cough suppressants can be used; for thick sputum, expectorants are needed; antipyretic analgesics can be used for fever; and if there is bronchospasm accompanied by chest tightness and shortness of breath, asthma medication is necessary. Additionally, the use of antibiotics is dependent on evidence of bacterial infection, and common types such as macrolides, penicillins, and cephalosporins must be used under the guidance of a physician.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of bronchitis

If it is acute bronchitis, the onset is usually quite sudden and symptoms may include fever, cough, and expectoration. Some patients may experience bloody sputum or symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. Coughing and expectoration often continue for two to three weeks, after which most patients can recover. If it is chronic bronchitis, the onset is often gradual, and symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, and wheezing occur repeatedly. The episodes each year may last for more than three months.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is acute bronchitis severe?

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.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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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.