Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis: Introduction

Acute bronchitis is a disease of the lower respiratory tract in the lungs. It is often caused by a viral infection, such as a upper respiratory infection or influenza that settles in the lungs. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Both of these infections result in inflammation of the airways of the lungs called the bronchi and the bronchioles.

Infection and inflammation of the bronchi and the bronchioles leads to symptoms that can include a wet cough that produces white or yellow phlegm, shortness of breath, and fever. Complications of acute bronchitis, such as pneumonia can be serious, even life threatening, and result in additional symptoms. For more details on symptoms, refer to symptoms of acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is a common disease that can occur at any time of the year, but most cases happen in the winter months. It is most common in infants and young children and the elderly. People at risk for developing acute bronchitis include smokers and people who are exposed to air pollution or lung irritants. Other people at risk include those who have diseases of the lungs, such as lung cancer, congestive heart failure, or emphysema.

Making a diagnosis of acute bronchitis begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, smoking history, and exposure to lung irritants. A physical examination is also performed and includes listening with a stethoscope to the sounds that lungs make during respiration. Lung sounds that may point to a diagnosis of acute bronchitis include a bubbling, wheezing, or crackling sound and decreased lung sounds.

Diagnostic testing can include lung function tests, such as a spirometry, which measures how much air is moved in and out of the lungs. A chest X-ray and CT scan of the chest can help to evaluate such factors as the presence of other lung conditions, including COPD, pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

A sample of phlegm that is coughed up may be tested for the presence of bacteria or other pathogens. For people who have a severe case of acute bronchitis, an arterial blood gas test may be done. Is this test a sample of blood taken from an artery is measured for many parameters of effective breathing, including the oxygen level in the blood.

It is possible that a diagnosis of acute bronchitis can be missed or delayed because symptoms may be mild or possibly attributed to other conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of acute bronchitis.

The treatment for acute bronchitis involves a multifaceted approach. Treatment plans vary depending on the cause, (bacterial or viral) the severity of the symptoms, the presence of complications, and an individual's medical history. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of acute bronchitis. ...more »

An infection of the bronchi or tubes that carry the air to the lungs. Infection of the tubes causes them to produce thick mucus which can affect breathing. The mucus is often coughed up. ...more »

Acute Bronchitis: Symptoms

The types and severity of symptoms of acute bronchitis vary between individuals depending on a variety of factors, such as age, general health, medical history, and the presence of complications. Acute bronchitis is the result of a viral or bacterial infection, which causes inflammation of the airways of the lungs. This results in typical symptoms that include shortness ...more »

Acute Bronchitis: Treatments

The goal of treatment of acute bronchitis is to control symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and to minimize the development of serious complications, such as pneumonia.

The first step in treatment is prevention. The risk of developing acute bronchitis can be reduced by not smoking and avoiding air pollutants, and exposure to people who are ...more »

Acute Bronchitis: Misdiagnosis

A diagnosis of acute bronchitis may be delayed or missed because some symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, and wheezing can attributed to other conditions as such as upper respiratory infection, influenza, or pneumonia. It is important to seek prompt medical care if you experience any symptoms of acute bronchitis and not assume they ...more »

Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis

• Cold-like symptoms
• Painful cough
• Dry cough - dry cough in early stages
• Productive cough - usually in later stages
• Wheezing
• more symptoms...»

See full list of 13 symptoms of Acute Bronchitis

Treatments for Acute Bronchitis

• Rest
• Fluids
• Pain relief
• Paracetamol
• Aspirin - but not for children
• more treatments...»

See full list of 21 treatments for Acute Bronchitis

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Acute Bronchitis:

• Lung & Respiratory Health Tests:
  • Asthma-Related Home Test Kits
  • Home Lung Function Test Kits
• more...»

Wrongly Diagnosed with Acute Bronchitis?

• Misdiagnosis of Acute Bronchitis
• Failure to diagnose Acute Bronchitis
• Hidden causes of Acute Bronchitis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Undiagnosed: Acute Bronchitis

Videos for Acute Bronchitis

See full list of 4 related videos

Acute Bronchitis: Related Patient Stories

• Bronchitis
• Bronchitis?/Pnenonia?
• I had bronchitis!
• is it chronic bronchitis?

Acute Bronchitis: Deaths

Read more about Deaths and Acute Bronchitis.

News Archives for Acute Bronchitis

Medical news articles related to Acute Bronchitis include:

• Genetic Factors for Smoking Boost Chronic Bronchitis Risk
• Study Links Snoring to Chronic Bronchitis
• more health news...»

Source: HealthDay News

Types of Acute Bronchitis

• Acute viral bronchitis
• Acute bacterial bronchitis
• Chronic bronchitis
• more types...»

Read more about Types of Acute Bronchitis

Diagnostic Tests for Acute Bronchitis

• Physical examination
• ECG
• 12 lead ECG
• Chest x-ray
• Blood gases
• more tests...»

See full list of 7 diagnostic tests for Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis: Complications

Review possible medical complications related to Acute Bronchitis:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Bronchopneumonia (type of Pneumonia)
• Bronchiecstasis
• more complications...»

Causes of Acute Bronchitis

• Common cold
• Flu
• Measles
• Whooping cough
• Allergies
• more causes...»

See full list of 8 causes of Acute Bronchitis

More information about causes of Acute Bronchitis:

• Underlying causes of Acute Bronchitis
• Acute Bronchitis as a complication caused by other conditions
• Acute Bronchitis as a symptom

Disease Topics Related To Acute Bronchitis

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Acute Bronchitis:

• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Rhinovirus
• Influenza
• Adenoviridae
• Pneumonia
• Expectorating cough
• more related diseases...»

Medical Textbooks Online about Acute Bronchitis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Acute Bronchitis: Self Assessment Tools

• Exercise -- Self Assessment Tools
• Smoking -- Self Assessment Tools
• Chronic Lung Disorders -- Self Assessment Tools
• more tools...»

Acute Bronchitis: Medical Mistakes

• Asthma -- Health Mistakes
• Allergies -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Acute Bronchitis: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Acute Bronchitis:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Flu (influenza)
• more product offers...»

Acute Bronchitis: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Respiratory Disorders that may be Undiagnosed:
  • Asthma -- Undiagnosed
  • Allergies -- Undiagnosed
  • COPD -- Undiagnosed
  • Emphysema -- Undiagnosed
  • Chronic Bronchitis -- Undiagnosed
  • Lung Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Sinusitis -- Undiagnosed
  • Cystic Fibrosis -- Undiagnosed
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Misdiagnosis and Acute Bronchitis

Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis, when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection, such as a common cold....read more »

Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears off after about 15 years. Thus, any teen or adult with a...read more »

Chronic lung diseases hard to diagnose: Some of the chronic lung diseases are difficult to diagnose. Even the well-knowns conditions such as asthma or lung cancer often fail to be diagnosed early. Some of the...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

• Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists:
  • Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat)
  • Pediatric Otolaryngology (Child Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist)
  • Otology / Neurotology (Ear/Hearing Specialists)
  • Plastic Surgery within the Head & Neck
• Lung Health Specialists (Pulmonologist):
  • Pulmonology (Lung Health Specialists)
  • Pediatric Pulmonology (Child Lung Health)
• more specialists...»

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

• Rate Your Doctor Online
• Research Your Doctor Online
• Review Patient Surveys About Your Doctor
• Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Hospitals & Clinics: Acute Bronchitis

Research quality ratings and patient safety measures for medical facilities in specialties related to Acute Bronchitis:

• Lung Health (Pulmonology) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more hospital ratings...»

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »

Choosing the Best Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Acute Bronchitis, on hospital performance and surgical care quality:

• 50 Best Hospitals Report
• Outstanding Patient Experinece Award Winning Hospitals
• Women's Health Best Hospitals
• Patient Safety
• Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence Study (2009)

Acute Bronchitis: Rare Types

Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:

• Chronic Respiratory Disorders -- Rare Types:
  • Asthma -- Rare Types
  • Allergies -- Rare Types
  • COPD -- Rare Types
  • Emphysema -- Rare Types
  • Chronic Bronchitis -- Rare Types
  • Lung Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Sinusitis -- Rare Types
  • Cystic Fibrosis -- Rare Types
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Latest Treatments for Acute Bronchitis

• Cethromycin
• Bronchodilators
• more treatments...»

Read more about the latest treatments for Acute Bronchitis

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Acute Bronchitis

Medical research articles related to Acute Bronchitis include:

• Antibiotics for acute bronchitis
• What is the role of steroids in upper respiratory tract infection especially bronchitis?
• Chinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis
• Management of Acute Bronchitis
• Management of uncomplicated acute bronchitis in adults.
• Acute bronchitis
• more research...»

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Acute Bronchitis: Animations

More Acute Bronchitis animations & videos

Patient Surveys for Acute Bronchitis

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Acute Bronchitis
  Take Survey  View Results

Prognosis for Acute Bronchitis

More about prognosis of Acute Bronchitis

Reseach about Acute Bronchitis

Visit our research pages for current research about Acute Bronchitis treatments.

Statistics for Acute Bronchitis

• Medical statistics for Acute Bronchitis
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Acute Bronchitis
• Death and Mortality statistics for Acute Bronchitis
• Society statistics for Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis: Broader Related Topics

• Bronchitis
• Lung conditions
• Acute lower respiratory conditions
• Acute infections
• more types...»

Types of Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis Message Boards

Related forums and medical stories:

• Respiratory Conditions (69)
  • Strange long lasting cough
  • Lung/Breathing Pain...any answers???
  • long term effects of whooping cough?
  • Granuloma / Fibromyalgia Symptoms
  • Sinisus Pain, Please Help
  • More user stories

User Interactive Forums

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• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

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