Bronchitis by Amarachukwu Okpunobi

 Bronchitis

 AMARACHUKWU OKPUNOBI

Bronchitis is when the airways leading to lungs (trachea and bronchi) get inflamed and fill with mucus. Nagging cough begins as the body tries to get rid of the mucus. The cough can last two or more weeks. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and goes away on its own. Chronic bronchitis never really goes away but can be managed.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways leading into your lungs.

When the airways (trachea and bronchi) get irritated, they swell up and fill with mucus, causing cough. The cough can last days to a couple of weeks. It’s the main symptom of bronchitis.

Viruses are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. Smoke and other irritants can cause acute and chronic bronchitis.

Types of Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection and goes away on its own in a few weeks. Most people don’t need treatment for acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis

One have chronic bronchitis if you have a cough with mucus most days of the month for three months out of the year. This goes on for at least two years.

If one have chronic bronchitis, you may have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Who is at Risk of bronchitis?

Anyone can get bronchitis, but you’re at higher risk if you:

Smoke or are around someone who does.

Have asthma, COPD or other breathing conditions.

Have GERD (chronic acid reflux).

Have an autoimmune disorder or other illness that causes inflammation.

Are around air pollutants (like smoke or chemicals).

Pathophysiology 

When your airways are irritated, your immune system causes them to swell up and fill with mucus. You cough to try to clear the mucus out. As long as there’s mucus or inflammation in your airways, you’ll keep coughing.

SYMPTOMS 

A persistent cough that lasts one to three weeks is the main symptom of bronchitis. You usually bring up mucus when you cough with bronchitis, but you might get a dry cough instead. 

Whistling or rattling sound when you breathe (wheezing).

Shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Fever.

Runny nose.

Tiredness (fatigue).

 CAUSES OF BRONCHITIS 

 Nearly anything that irritates your airways can cause it. Infectious and noninfectious causes of bronchitis include:

Viruses. Viruses that cause bronchitis include influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus (the common cold) and coronavirus.

Bacteria. Bacteria that cause bronchitis include Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia.

Pollution.

Smoking cigarettes or marijuana (cannabis).

HOW DO YOU GET BRONCHITIS?

You get bronchitis when your airways swell up and fill with mucus. You can get the viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis from close contact (shaking hands, hugging, touching the same surfaces) with someone who has them. You don’t have to have bronchitis yourself to pass on a virus to someone else who ends up with bronchitis.

Other irritants, like tobacco or pollutants, are in the air you breathe.

Is bronchitis contagious?

Bronchitis itself — inflammation of your airways — isn’t contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that can cause it are. For instance, if you’re sick with the flu, you might get bronchitis too. But when your friend gets the flu from you, their airways don’t get inflamed like yours did.

Is bronchitis a side effect of COVID-19?

You can get bronchitis with almost any virus, including SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to COVID-19, so make sure you get tested to know which one you have. There haven’t been any studies that show that COVID-19 is any more likely to cause bronchitis than other viral illnesses.

What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES 

There aren’t any specific tests to diagnose bronchitis, but you might be tested for other conditions. Possible tests include:

Nasal swab. A soft-tipped stick (swab) is used to inserted into your nose and sample collected to test for viruses, like COVID-19 or the flu.

Chest X-ray. X-ray to rule out more serious conditions. 

Blood tests. To look for infections or check your overall health.

Sputum test. Sample will be tested for signs of a virus or bacteria.

Pulmonary function tests. To test how well your lungs work.

 Treatment of bronchitis?

Note: the treatment is mostly for the symptoms 

Antiviral medications. If bronchitis is caused by the flu.

Bronchodilators. A drug that helps open your airways if you’re having trouble breathing.

Anti-inflammatory medications. Corticosteroids and other medications to reduce inflammation.

Cough suppressants. Over-the-counter or prescription cough suppressants (antitussives) may help with a nagging cough. 

Antibiotics. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be treated with antibiotics for bronchitis, unless being a bacterial.

How long are you contagious if you have acute bronchitis?

Bronchitis itself isn’t contagious, but some of its causes are. If your bronchitis is caused by a virus, you can be contagious for a few days to a week. If your bronchitis is caused by bacteria, you usually stop being contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

PREVENTION

The best way to reduce your risk of bronchitis is to avoid getting sick from viruses and other causes of lung irritation. Specific ways to reduce your risk include:

Try to avoid being around other people if you or they may be sick. This is especially true in the winter months when people gather indoors.

Avoid smoke and other irritants.

If you have asthma or allergies, avoid any triggers (including pets, dust and pollen).

Run a humidifier. Moist air is less likely to irritate your lungs.

Get plenty of rest.

Eat a healthy diet.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If you’re not able to use soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.

Make sure you are up-to-date on flu and pneumonia vaccines.

OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS

Acute bronchitis usually isn’t serious. While frustrating, you have to wait out the symptoms for a few weeks. If you’re living with a heart condition or another breathing condition, like asthma, it could make your symptoms worse or last longer.

Chronic bronchitis can be a serious condition and might mean you have lung damage. While the damage can’t be reversed, your symptoms can be manage to help you have fewer flare-ups

COMPLICATIONS OF BRONCHITIS 

If you have an ongoing condition like asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure, bronchitis might make it worse (exacerbation).