What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Bronchitis is a common clinical disease, which can generally be divided into acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis in clinical practice. Acute bronchitis often has a sudden onset, with symptoms such as coughing and expectoration; some people may also experience fever, chest tightness, and wheezing. Typically, the course of the disease lasts two to three weeks. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, has a longer duration, with a more gradual onset and symptoms of recurrent coughing and expectoration, and even chest tightness. The annual duration of the disease is more than three months, with a typical onset lasting over two years, making it very long and difficult to control.

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Symptoms of bronchitis

Bronchitis refers to an inflammatory lesion of the bronchial mucosa caused by biological, physical, chemical stimuli, or allergies, among other factors. Bronchitis generally occurs sporadically without epidemic tendencies. It is more common in elderly and frail patients. The primary clinical symptoms include coughing and expectoration, often occurring in cold seasons or when there are significant changes in temperature. Clinically, bronchitis can present with fever in some patients. Initially, there may be a dry cough or a small amount of sputum, which can increase in volume over time. Some patients may experience worsening coughs occasionally accompanied by bloody sputum. The cough can persist for two to three weeks. If it persists, it can develop into chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, which should be taken seriously.

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What should I do if my baby has bronchitis?

Bronchiolitis in babies is an inflammation, which may be caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, or mycoplasma. The primary treatment is anti-infection, for which antibiotics like oral cephalosporins or penicillin can be chosen for the treatment. Additionally, treatment includes expectorants and cough suppressants, where one or two types of traditional Chinese or Western medicine can be used orally. If the coughing is frequent, nebulized inhalation can be administered to achieve local anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and cough suppressant effects. While treating, it's important to observe the effects and administer intravenous infusions if necessary.

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Daily care for children's bronchitis

For children with bronchitis, it is essential to keep warm and avoid exposure to cold and wind, especially from cold air, which can reduce the local resistance of the bronchial mucosa and exacerbate the condition of bronchitis. It is also important to monitor the child's body temperature, maintaining it above 36.5 degrees Celsius, drink plenty of water, and promote metabolism to enhance the body's immunity. Additionally, attention should be paid to the diet, which should primarily consist of liquid or semi-liquid foods. It is also appropriate to drink some sugar water or light salt water. It is important to increase dietary nutrition by consuming light, fully nutritious, balanced, and easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods such as porridge, egg custard, soft noodles, fresh vegetables, and fruit juices. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain the child's respiratory passages clear, focus on expectoration, and ensure regular ventilation in the room to keep the air fresh and flowing, with appropriate temperature and humidity levels.

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How to completely cure bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial mucosa caused by various pathogens, often secondary to upper respiratory tract infections or as a manifestation of acute infectious diseases. It is a common respiratory disease in childhood, typically caused by viruses or bacteria, or a combination of both. The treatment mainly involves symptomatic management, and when necessary, anti-inflammatory treatment can be administered. For viral infections, symptomatic treatment is usually sufficient, generally involving the use of expectorants, or if there is severe wheezing, nebulized asthma medications may be needed. For those with allergic constitutions, appropriate use of anti-allergy medications can be considered. Treatment can also integrate unique approaches from traditional Chinese medicine. If there are clear signs of bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment is necessary, and the use of antibiotics is recommended to be carried out in hospitals, with doctors prescribing appropriate antibiotics for children based on their specific conditions.

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How is bronchitis treated?

In clinical settings, bronchitis is treated in two main ways. The first approach includes general and symptomatic treatment. The second and most crucial approach is the use of sensitive antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens and provide anti-inflammatory treatment. Increased water intake and the use of antipyretic analgesic drugs for fever symptoms are recommended. It is necessary to identify whether the infection is bacterial, viral, or mycoplasmal, and to use sensitive antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens. Once the inflammation subsides, the symptoms caused by bronchitis will gradually diminish and fade away.