Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis Contagious

Bronchitis Contagious is a very common respiratory condition. The illness causes inflammation, irritation and sometimes infection of the respiratory tract and the bronchial tubes are usually the most affected. The bronchial tubes connect the trachea to the lungs and have a very important role in protecting the respiratory system from viruses and airborne irritants, such as dust and pollen. The bronchial tubes act just like a filter, cleaning the air that reaches inside the lungs through the process of breathing. When airborne irritants or viruses penetrate the defenses of the respiratory system (nostril hairs, bronchial cilia), they cause inflammation and infection.

Bronchitis Contagious

Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis usually generates intense symptoms but this form of illness can be overcome in a short period of time. If the illness is caused by viruses, acute bronchitis can clear by itself. Chronic bronchitis, however, is a persistent form of respiratory illness and it also has a recidivating character. Bronchitis symptoms characteristic to this form of illness are less pronounced but they tend to reoccur in time. Chronic bronchitis needs ongoing treatment in order to be completely overcome.

General bronchitis symptoms are a cough (it can contain mucus), difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest sourness and pain, throat discomfort, fatigue, headache and occasionally fever (suggesting bacterial infection of the respiratory tract). Bronchitis symptoms that reveal the aggravation of the illness are a severe cough that contains yellowish mucus, spitting blood.

Bronchitis symptoms that point to acute forms of the illness are: a cough, chest sourness, and pain, wheezing, pain in the region of the upper abdomen, difficulty breathing. Bronchitis symptoms are usually more intense in the acute forms of illness. If bronchitis symptoms don’t ease up within a few days, it is very important to see a doctor.

Bronchitis symptoms that point to chronic forms of the illness are: a persistent cough, shortness of breath, pronounced difficulty breathing (due to obstruction of the respiratory tract with mucus), recidivating chest pain and soreness, nausea, headache, moderate fever. Bronchitis symptoms are usually not very intense in this form of illness, but they reoccur after certain periods of time. It is important to inform a doctor of your condition in order to receive an appropriate treatment.

Untreated chronic bronchitis can lead to serious complications and can cause permanent damage to the respiratory tract, leaving the organism vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. Avoid smoking when suffering from chronic bronchitis, as it slows down the process of healing and also facilitates the development of bacterial infections. A permanent condition characteristic to smokers is called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and doesn’t improve with medical treatment.

Pay attention to bronchitis symptoms and see a doctor if they don’t ease up within two or three days. If bronchitis symptoms aggravate within this period, it is a sign of acute bronchitis accompanied by bacterial infection. If bronchitis symptoms are mild but persistent, it is a sign of chronic bronchitis. Follow the treatment prescribed by the doctor and avoid smoking, pollutants, and other irritants when suffering from bronchitis.

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