What is acute bronchitis. How does it differ from chronic bronchitis. What are the main symptoms of acute bronchitis. What causes acute bronchitis. How is acute bronchitis diagnosed. Can acute bronchitis be prevented. What are the most effective treatments for acute bronchitis.

Understanding Acute Bronchitis: Causes and Symptoms

Acute bronchitis is a common respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are responsible for carrying air to and from the lungs. This inflammation leads to swelling and mucus production, narrowing the airways and making breathing more difficult.

The primary cause of acute bronchitis is typically a viral infection, often the same viruses responsible for the common cold. In rarer cases, bacterial or fungal infections can also trigger acute bronchitis. Environmental factors such as exposure to irritants like smoke, dust, or fumes can exacerbate the condition, especially in individuals with pre-existing bronchial damage.

Key Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis

• Persistent cough, often producing clear, yellow, or green mucus
• Chest congestion or tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Sore throat
• Fever and chills
• Body aches

It’s important to note that while most symptoms of acute bronchitis typically resolve within 7-10 days, the cough can persist for several weeks as the bronchial tubes heal.

Acute vs. Chronic Bronchitis: Understanding the Difference

While acute bronchitis is a short-term condition, chronic bronchitis is a long-lasting and recurrent form of the disease. Chronic bronchitis is often associated with prolonged irritation of the bronchial tubes, commonly caused by smoking or long-term exposure to air pollutants.

How do acute and chronic bronchitis differ in terms of duration and treatment? Acute bronchitis typically resolves within a few weeks, with symptoms improving significantly after 7-10 days. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is defined as a productive cough that lasts for at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring for at least two consecutive years.

Treatment approaches also vary between the two conditions. Acute bronchitis often requires only symptomatic relief and rest, while chronic bronchitis may necessitate long-term management strategies, including lifestyle changes and ongoing medical interventions.

Diagnosing Acute Bronchitis: What to Expect

Diagnosing acute bronchitis typically involves a physical examination and a review of symptoms. During the examination, a healthcare provider will listen to your lungs using a stethoscope to detect any abnormal sounds such as wheezing or crackling.

In some cases, additional tests may be ordered to rule out other conditions or complications. These may include:

• Chest X-ray to exclude pneumonia
• Pulmonary function tests to assess lung capacity and function
• Sputum cultures to identify any bacterial infections

Is a chest X-ray always necessary for diagnosing acute bronchitis? While not always required, a chest X-ray may be ordered if the healthcare provider suspects pneumonia or if symptoms are severe or prolonged. This imaging test can help differentiate between bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.

Prevention Strategies for Acute Bronchitis

While it’s not always possible to prevent acute bronchitis, several measures can reduce your risk of contracting the condition or experiencing recurrent episodes:

1. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of viruses.
2. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke: Smoking damages the bronchial tubes and increases susceptibility to infections.
3. Use protective gear: Wear a mask when exposed to lung irritants such as paint fumes or dust.
4. Get vaccinated: Annual flu shots and pneumonia vaccines (especially for those over 60) can help prevent respiratory infections.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can boost your immune system.

How effective is quitting smoking in preventing acute bronchitis? Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps you can take to prevent acute bronchitis and improve overall respiratory health. Smoking cessation allows the bronchial tubes to heal and strengthens the body’s natural defense mechanisms against respiratory infections.

Treatment Options for Acute Bronchitis: Do Inhalers Help?

The treatment of acute bronchitis primarily focuses on managing symptoms and supporting the body’s natural healing process. In most cases, the infection resolves on its own without the need for antibiotics, as viral infections are the most common cause.

Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Treatments

• Rest and hydration
• Over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever and alleviate discomfort
• Humidifiers to increase air moisture and ease breathing
• Cough suppressants for nighttime relief
• Expectorants to help loosen mucus

The Role of Inhalers in Acute Bronchitis Treatment

Inhalers can indeed play a beneficial role in managing acute bronchitis symptoms, particularly for individuals experiencing wheezing or significant airway constriction. There are two main types of inhalers that may be prescribed:

1. Bronchodilators: These inhalers contain medications that help relax and open the airways, making breathing easier. Common bronchodilators include albuterol and levalbuterol.
2. Corticosteroid inhalers: These may be prescribed in more severe cases to reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes. They are typically used for a short duration to minimize side effects.

How quickly can inhalers provide relief for acute bronchitis symptoms? Bronchodilator inhalers can often provide rapid relief of wheezing and shortness of breath, with effects noticeable within minutes of use. However, the overall recovery from acute bronchitis still takes time, and inhalers should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Acute Bronchitis

While most cases of acute bronchitis resolve without complications, certain symptoms warrant medical attention:

• Persistent fever above 100.4°F (38°C) for more than three days
• Coughing up blood or rusty-colored sputum
• Wheezing or shortness of breath that worsens or doesn’t improve with treatment
• Symptoms lasting longer than 3 weeks
• Recurring episodes of acute bronchitis

Should you see a doctor if your cough persists for more than two weeks? It’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider if your cough lasts longer than two weeks, especially if it’s accompanied by other persistent symptoms. This could indicate a more serious condition or a complication of acute bronchitis that requires medical evaluation.

Long-Term Management and Lifestyle Considerations

While acute bronchitis is a temporary condition, recurrent episodes or persistent symptoms may indicate underlying health issues or lifestyle factors that need addressing. Consider the following long-term strategies:

1. Smoking cessation: If you smoke, quitting is crucial for long-term respiratory health.
2. Air quality improvement: Minimize exposure to air pollutants and irritants at home and work.
3. Regular exercise: Engage in activities that promote lung health, such as aerobic exercises.
4. Stress management: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.
5. Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can support overall health and immune function.

How can you strengthen your respiratory system to prevent future episodes of acute bronchitis? Regular cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, can improve lung capacity and overall respiratory health. Additionally, practicing deep breathing exercises and maintaining good posture can enhance lung function and resilience against respiratory infections.

Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Managing Acute Bronchitis

While conventional medical treatments form the cornerstone of acute bronchitis management, some individuals find relief through complementary approaches. It’s important to note that these methods should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, standard medical care.

Herbal Remedies and Natural Supplements

• Honey: Known for its antibacterial properties and ability to soothe sore throats
• Ginger: May help reduce inflammation and ease respiratory symptoms
• Eucalyptus: Often used in steam inhalation to relieve congestion
• Vitamin C: May support immune function and potentially shorten the duration of respiratory infections
• Zinc: Some studies suggest it might reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms

Are natural remedies as effective as conventional treatments for acute bronchitis? While some natural remedies may provide symptomatic relief, their effectiveness can vary widely between individuals. Scientific evidence supporting many natural treatments is limited, and they should not be relied upon as the sole treatment for acute bronchitis. Always consult with a healthcare provider before incorporating new supplements or remedies into your treatment plan.

Mind-Body Techniques

Certain mind-body practices may complement traditional treatments by promoting relaxation and potentially supporting the immune system:

1. Meditation and mindfulness practices
2. Yoga, particularly practices focusing on breath work
3. Tai chi, which combines gentle movement with deep breathing
4. Guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation

How can stress reduction techniques impact the recovery from acute bronchitis? Stress reduction techniques may indirectly support recovery by promoting better sleep, reducing inflammation, and potentially boosting immune function. While these practices are not a cure for acute bronchitis, they can contribute to overall well-being and may support the body’s natural healing processes.

The Impact of Acute Bronchitis on Different Populations

Acute bronchitis can affect individuals of all ages, but certain populations may be more vulnerable or experience more severe symptoms:

Children and Acute Bronchitis

Children, especially those under 5 years old, may be more susceptible to acute bronchitis due to their developing immune systems and smaller airways. Symptoms in children can sometimes be more pronounced, and parents should be vigilant for signs of respiratory distress.

Elderly and Immunocompromised Individuals

Older adults and those with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk for complications from acute bronchitis. These populations may require closer monitoring and more aggressive treatment approaches.

Individuals with Pre-existing Respiratory Conditions

People with asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung diseases may experience exacerbations of their underlying condition when they develop acute bronchitis. These individuals often require tailored treatment plans that address both the acute infection and their chronic condition.

How does the management of acute bronchitis differ for high-risk populations? For high-risk groups, healthcare providers may adopt a more proactive approach, potentially including earlier use of antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected, more frequent follow-ups, and specialized respiratory support. Vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal disease is particularly important for these populations to prevent complications.

Future Directions in Acute Bronchitis Research and Treatment

As our understanding of respiratory infections evolves, researchers continue to explore new avenues for the prevention and treatment of acute bronchitis:

Emerging Therapies

• Novel antiviral medications targeting specific respiratory viruses
• Immunomodulatory therapies to enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms
• Advanced inhalation devices for more efficient medication delivery
• Personalized treatment approaches based on genetic and environmental factors

Diagnostic Advancements

Improved diagnostic tools are being developed to quickly and accurately identify the specific pathogens causing acute bronchitis, potentially allowing for more targeted treatments.

Prevention Strategies

Research into new vaccines and preventive medications continues, aiming to reduce the incidence of viral respiratory infections that can lead to acute bronchitis.

What potential breakthroughs in acute bronchitis treatment are on the horizon? While it’s difficult to predict specific breakthroughs, areas of promising research include the development of broad-spectrum antiviral medications, more effective mucolytics to clear airways, and innovative approaches to modulate the immune response to respiratory infections. Additionally, advancements in telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies may improve the management of acute bronchitis, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.

As research progresses, the goal remains to develop more effective, targeted treatments that can reduce the duration and severity of acute bronchitis symptoms while minimizing the risk of complications. Patients and healthcare providers alike can look forward to a future where acute bronchitis management is increasingly personalized and efficient, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life for those affected by this common respiratory condition.

Acute Bronchitis – Persistent Cough

Related Topics

What is acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is a contagious viral infection that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes. These are the airways that carry air into your lungs. When these tubes get infected, they swell. Mucus (thick fluid) forms inside them. This narrows the airways, making it harder for you to breathe.

There are 2 types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is long-lasting and can reoccur. It usually is caused by constant irritation, such as from smoking. Acute bronchitis lasts only a short time. Most cases get better in several days, though the cough can last for several weeks.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis

The symptoms of acute bronchitis can include:

• Chest congestion or tightness
• Cough that brings up clear, yellow, or green mucus
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches

Your cough can last for several weeks or more. This happens because the bronchial tubes take a while to heal. A lasting cough may signal another problem, such as asthma or pneumonia.

What causes acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a contagious virus. The same viruses that cause colds can cause acute bronchitis. First, the virus affects your nose, sinuses, and throat. Then the infection travels to the lining of the bronchial tubes. As your body fights the virus, swelling occurs and mucus is produced.

You can catch a virus from breathing it in or by skin contact. You are at higher risk of catching the virus if you have close contact with someone who has a cold or acute bronchitis.

Lesser-known causes of acute bronchitis are:

• Bacteria or fungal infections.
• Exposure to irritants, such as smoke, dust, or fumes. You are at greater risk if your bronchial tubes already have damage.
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which causes heartburn. You can get acute bronchitis when stomach acid gets into the bronchial tubes.

How is acute bronchitis diagnosed?

Your doctor can confirm acute bronchitis. He or she will do a physical exam and review your symptoms. He or she will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Your doctor might order a chest X-ray to look at your lungs. This will help rule out pneumonia.

Can acute bronchitis be prevented or avoided?

You can help prevent acute bronchitis by staying healthy and avoiding germs. Wash your hands with soap often to kill any contagious viruses.

If you smoke, the best defense against acute bronchitis is to quit. Smoking damages your bronchial tubes and puts you at risk for infection. Smoking also slows down the healing process.

Other steps you can take to avoid acute bronchitis include:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when using lung irritants. These could include paint, paint remover, or varnish.
• Get a flu shot every year.
• Ask your doctor if you should get a pneumonia shot, especially if you are over age 60.

Acute bronchitis treatment

Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by a virus. This means that antibiotics won’t help. The infection needs to run its course. It almost always goes away on its own. Home treatment focuses on easing the symptoms:

• Drink fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and lower your fever. These could include acetaminophen (1 brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (1 brand name: Advil). Never give aspirin to a child. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, which can affect the liver and brain.
• Increase the humidity in your home or use a humidifier.

There are some over-the-counter cough medicines that help break up or loosen mucus. Look for the word “guaifenesin” on the label or ask your pharmacist for a suggestion.

Do not hold in a cough that brings up mucus. This type of cough helps clear mucus from your bronchial tubes. If you smoke, you should quit. It will help your bronchial tubes heal faster.

Some people who have acute bronchitis need inhaled medicine. You might need this if you are wheezing. It can help open your bronchial tubes and clear out mucus. You usually take it with an inhaler. An inhaler sprays medicine right into your bronchial tubes. Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you.

If your doctor thinks bacteria have caused your acute bronchitis, he or she may give you antibiotics.

Living with acute bronchitis

Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. You should call your doctor if:

• You continue to wheeze and cough for more than 2 weeks, especially at night when you lie down or when you are active.
• You continue to cough for more than 2 weeks and have a bad-tasting fluid come up into your mouth. This may mean you have GERD. This is a condition in which stomach acid gets into your esophagus.
• Your cough produces blood, you feel weak, you have an ongoing high fever, and you are short of breath. These symptoms may mean you have pneumonia.

The risk of developing complications from acute bronchitis, such as pneumonia, is greater in some people. These include:

• Young children
• The elderly
• People who have asthma
• People who have other health issues (such as cancer or diabetes)
• People who haven’t gotten vaccines for flu, pneumonia, or whooping cough

Questions to ask your doctor

• What is causing my acute bronchitis?
• Are there over-the-counter medicines or prescriptions that can help relieve my symptoms?
• Am I contagious?
• Am I at risk for getting pneumonia or other lung infections?
• What should I do if my cough doesn’t respond to treatment or gets worse?

Resources

American Lung Association: Acute Bronchitis

Types of Inhalers and Nebulizers

Just when you think you’ve gotten over that respiratory infection, bronchitis hits. The coughing, chest soreness, and fatigue can really get you down.

While acute bronchitis will usually go away without prescription treatments, chronic or an especially nasty case of acute bronchitis may require some extra help.

We explain inhaled treatments for bronchitis, including nebulizer and inhaler treatments, and how they may help.

Inhalers are medications that are delivered through the mouth and to the lungs.

Usually this is a device with a short mouthpiece that connects to a small canister you press down on. When you press down and inhale, the medication enters your mouth and goes down into your lungs.

A doctor may prescribe a few different types of inhaler medications for bronchitis. These include the following:

Beta-2 agonists

Some of the most common inhaler medications are short-acting beta-2 agonists. These include medications like albuterol and salbutamol.

Doctors prescribe beta-2 agonists to treat:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• severe coughing that can come with acute bronchitis

These medications work by relaxing airway passages in the lungs, which can make it easier to breathe.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analyzed the results of five different studies of beta-2 agonists as a treatment for acute bronchitis in adults.

They concluded that there’s little evidence to support the use of beta-2 agonists in adults with acute bronchitis.

However, they did find that inhalers helped people who tended to wheeze frequently, even when they weren’t sick.

Inhaled corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids help to reduce airway inflammation. This can be helpful when you have bronchitis, because it’s usually after an upper respiratory infection and your lungs are already very irritated.

These medications won’t relieve a wheezing attack immediately, but they can help to reduce:

• airway swelling
• excess mucus
• tight airways

Examples of inhaled corticosteroids doctors prescribe include:

• beclomethasone
• budesonide
• fluticasone

Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs)

These medications are similar to short-acting beta-2 agonists like albuterol. They aren’t meant for acute attacks of wheezing, but rather reduce the risk of wheezing all day.

Examples of LABAs include arformoterol tartrate (Brovana) and formoterol fumarate (Oxeze, Foradil).

Doctors usually prescribe these with inhaled corticosteroids.

Nebulizer treatments are another form of inhaled medications. Instead of a short mouthpiece, nebulizer treatments usually have a longer mouthpiece and an air compressor that helps convert the medication to a fine mist.

Doctors often prescribe nebulizers to children who may have a harder time using an inhaler properly.

Instead of having to time the pumps to breathe medication in, a person just takes deep breaths in and out to take in the medication.

Nebulizers are also useful for people who may require larger amounts of inhaled medications, such as those for:

• acute asthma attacks
• pneumonia
• COPD

A doctor would usually prescribe nebulized medications to treat acute bronchitis in children or for chronic bronchitis in adults.

Examples of nebulized medications include:

• Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs). These medications are usually the same as those available for inhalers.
• Long-acting muscarinic agents (LAMAs). These medications work on different receptors in the lungs than beta-agonists to help open up the airways so you can breathe better. Examples of these medicines include umeclinium (Ellipta) and tiotropium (HandiHaler, Respimat).
• Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs). Like with traditional inhalers, a person can use albuterol in a nebulizer. These are mostly for acute attacks in bronchitis, such as wheezing.
• Short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs). These are medications like ipratropium bromide (Atrovent). Doctors prescribe them to treat chronic bronchitis and COPD.

Many of these medications are available in combination, such as SABA-SAMA or LABA-LAMA.

Nebulized medications may not be as good a fit for adults without COPD, because nebulizers require special equipment and teaching to use.

Ideally, a person with acute bronchitis wouldn’t need this type of equipment.

In addition to nebulizers and inhalers, some people may inhale warm, humidified air (steam) at home to improve their breathing.

Sometimes cold air can irritate the lungs and worsen coughing when you have bronchitis. Warm, moist air may help you feel better and reduce coughing.

Here are some ways you can incorporate steam or mist therapy into your bronchitis treatments:

• inhale steam from a bowl of boiling water, while hovering at least 8 to 12 inches away with a towel over your head to hold the steam in
• take a hot shower
• use a humidifier in your room, but be sure to carefully clean it after use

Many drugstores also sell plugin steam inhalers.

The side effects from inhalers and nebulizer treatments depend upon the type used. Examples of side effects include the following:

• Beta-2 agonists may cause tremors, nervousness, and shakiness.
• Corticosteroids can causesore mouth, cough, hoarse voice, or nosebleeds. Oral thrush can develop if a person doesn’t rinse their mouth out after use.
• LABAs can cause heart palpitations and tremors.
• LAMAs may cause constipation, dry mouth, and urinary retention.

If you experience any of these when you use an inhaler or nebulizer, talk to your doctor about ways to minimize these side effects. You can also find out if other medications are available.

They may suggest using a spacer device, which maximizes the delivery of the medication to the lungs. This minimizes the settling of medication to the back of the throat, which can lead to side effects.

With treatment and rest, you’ll ideally recover within about 1 to 2 weeks. It may take a bit longer for some people.

If your symptoms, especially your cough, persist beyond 3 weeks, consider scheduling another appointment with your doctor.

A doctor can evaluate you for other potential coughing causes, such as:

• asthma
• sinusitis
• COPD
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• heart failure
• pulmonary embolism

According to StatPearls, doctors may misdiagnose as many as one-third of patients with bronchitis when the patients actually have asthma.

You should talk with a doctor if you have a cough that persists after an upper respiratory infection, and it keeps you from completing everyday activities or starts to make your chest hurt.

If you have a fever that accompanies your symptoms, your infection may be bacterial. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics that can help bronchitis go away.

If your cough persists after 3 weeks, you may need to make another appointment with your doctor. Bronchitis will usually subside by this time, so you could have another medical condition.

Sometimes, bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. This is a severe lung infection.

Seek emergency medical treatment if you have worsening symptoms like:

• shortness of breath
• blue-tinted lips or fingernails
• confusion

Doctors usually treat bronchitis by treating its symptoms.

If your symptoms include wheezing and coughing, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler or nebulizer. These may help you manage your symptoms until you start feeling better.

Treatment of bronchitis: symptoms, drugs, inhalations

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Bronchitis is an infectious inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, most often associated with a viral infection.

Treatment of bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi is manifested primarily by a hacking dry or wet cough, combined with shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and sometimes wheezing. This condition greatly reduces the quality of life. In addition, bronchitis can be complicated by a bacterial infection, which leads to the development of a dangerous complication – pneumonia. To prevent this, you need to start treatment on time ^[1] . What means are used for this purpose? And how to choose an inhaler for inhalation therapy?

Bronchitis: non-pharmacological methods of treatment

Bronchus is an airway through which the air flow is carried to the respiratory departments. In healthy people, the bronchial mucosa produces bronchial secretions. With inflammation of the respiratory mucosa, the volume of bronchial mucus increases much, it becomes thicker, which disrupts its excretion. One of the main goals of treatment is to facilitate the removal of excess sputum from the respiratory tract. “Home”, non-drug methods of treatment help to achieve this ^[1] .

Drinking plenty of fluids

Helps relieve coughs, sore throats that can accompany bronchial inflammation, and helps to eliminate toxins and restore fluid loss. With bronchitis, you need a sufficient amount of drinks – from 2 liters. An adult can drink up to 4 liters of fluid per day ^[1,2] .

To compensate for fluid loss, it is recommended to drink water, juices, herbal tea. In the cool season, a warm drink is good: tea with raspberries, honey, lime blossom, warmed alkaline mineral water ^[1,2] .

Diet

Since bronchitis often causes inflammation of the throat, it is important to follow a sparing diet. Food should not irritate the throat, so it is recommended to give preference to non-spicy, non-salted, non-hot dishes ^[1] .

Humidification

Dry air can irritate the cough receptors in the airways and provoke coughing fits. In addition, with insufficient moisture, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract can dry out, and the viscosity of the bronchial secretion can increase, while the tasks of treating bronchitis are moisturizing the mucous membrane and thinning the sputum ^[1] .

To achieve them and relieve coughing, it is important to provide optimal conditions by controlling the humidity of the air. To do this, you can use room humidifiers or even just hang wet towels in the room. It is especially important to humidify the air during the cold season, when houses and apartments are heated ^[1] .

Bronchitis and lifestyle

Bronchitis may require lifestyle changes. An adult should stop smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes. To speed up recovery, when health permits, it is recommended to walk in the fresh air – such walks help to improve coughing, normalize sleep and alleviate the general condition. Both an adult and a child should dress according to the weather – so that it is neither cold nor hot ^[1] .

It is important to understand that non-pharmacological, folk remedies for bronchitis, despite their certain effectiveness, are usually not enough to speed up recovery and prevent complications. Therefore, with inflammation of the bronchi, the doctor prescribes drugs, more often in combination.

Comprehensive treatment helps to influence different stages of the disease process and achieve a good result, including with severe cough ^[1] . Consider what drugs can be prescribed for the treatment of acute bronchitis.

Antibacterial agents

The most common causative agents of acute inflammation of the bronchi are viruses, against which antibiotics are powerless. The so-called bacterial bronchitis is rather an exception to the rule. Bacterial infection causes disease only occasionally, usually in people with serious illnesses ^[1] .

A doctor may prescribe antibiotic treatment for bronchitis when there are convincing symptoms that suggest a bacterial infection, such as ^[1] :

• prolonged fever – more than 5 days;
• severe cough with profuse purulent sputum;
• increased heart rate – more than 100 beats per minute;
• an alarming symptom – shortness of breath and some others.

Antibiotics are more commonly prescribed for bronchitis in older adults because their immune defenses are usually weakened, which increases the risk of bacterial complications.

Bronchitis: cough treatment

To help clear excess mucus and relieve coughing, your doctor may prescribe a number of drugs with different mechanisms of action.

Treatment with expectorants improves the excretion of very viscous, thick sputum. Expectorants increase the activity of the mucous glands located in the bronchi, thereby increasing the production of bronchial mucus and reducing its viscosity ^[3] . In addition, expectorants can increase the cough reflex itself.

Medications called mucolytics (or secretolitics) relieve cough, thin sputum without significantly changing its amount ^[3] .

Sometimes a doctor may prescribe cough medicine for an adult or child. The need for them may arise when the cough with bronchitis is dry, painful. Antitussives do not affect the production of sputum and its discharge. They block the cough center or receptors located in the airways, stopping the reflex itself ^[4] .

Antitussive drugs should not be taken with dry or wet cough in combination with expectorants: in such a situation, the volume of sputum increases, and its excretion completely stops. The accumulation of mucus in the airways can contribute to the development of a bacterial infection and pneumonia. To avoid complications, it is important not to take cough medicines without a doctor’s prescription ^[5] .

Bronchodilator for cough

Sometimes, to treat bronchitis, your doctor may prescribe drugs that relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi and widen their lumen, called bronchodilators. They help make breathing easier (for example, if shortness of breath or bronchospasm occurs), improve sputum production, reduce coughing, and speed up recovery. It has been proven that when taking bronchodilators, the duration of a strong cough decreases. But this does not mean that these funds are necessary for all patients with bronchitis ^[1] .

Bronchial smooth muscle relaxants are recommended primarily for severe, painful, wet coughs. Drugs in this group can only be prescribed by a doctor – they are all dispensed only by prescription ^[1] .

Inhalation with a nebulizer for bronchitis

One of the effective ways to treat inflammation of the airways and bronchi is inhalation treatment. For inhalation when coughing, drugs of different groups can be used: expectorants, mucolytics, bronchodilators, sodium chloride solutions.

In order to deliver drugs to the site of inflammation, that is, to the respiratory tract, you need an inhaler that helps convert the drug into fine dust. This task is handled by a nebulizer. It generates and atomizes the smallest aerosol particles by compressing air or oxygen. Since these particles have a small diameter (on average 5 µm), they easily penetrate into all sections of the bronchial tree, reaching the foci of inflammation ^[3] .

The inhalation route is considered to be one of the best ways to administer drugs to the respiratory tract. The nebulizer ensures the rapid flow of the drug to the destination area, where the pathogenic process has arisen – into the bronchial tree. This helps to increase the rate of onset of the therapeutic effect and the activity of the drug. At the same time, the drug does not penetrate the digestive tract, thereby reducing the risk of side effects ^[3] .

One of the advantages of inhaled cough treatment with modern nebulizers is the ease of use. Inhalation can be conveniently done at home, including adults, children, and even infants ^[3] .

How is cough in chronic bronchitis treated?

Sometimes the inflammatory process of the bronchi takes a long time, chronically. Usually inflammation is accompanied by a wet cough. Several times a year, with chronic bronchitis, exacerbations (acute bronchitis) can develop, in which the condition worsens sharply. Sometimes chronic bronchitis begins in childhood and lasts until adulthood ^[5] .

Treatment of chronic bronchitis is a complex task that only a doctor can solve. Therapy regimen can be complex, combined and include antibiotics, bronchodilators, nebulizers, cough medicines and other drugs ^[5] . Therefore, when coughing and other symptoms of bronchitis appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

List of sources:

1. Sinopalnikov A. I. Acute bronchitis in adults // Practical pulmonology, 2005. No. 3.

2. Federal clinical guidelines for the provision of medical care to children with acute respiratory viral infection (acute nasopharyngitis), 2013

3. Blokhin B. M. et al. 3.

4. Volkov AV Antitussive, mucolytic and expectorant drugs. What to choose? //RMJ, 2008. T. 16. No. 4. S. 239-241.

5. Smirnova M. O., Sorokina E. V. Bronchitis in children: principles of modern therapy // Difficult patient, 2009. T. 7. No. 8-9.

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what it is, types of drugs and how to treat it

Of course, if a child has a dry, rough cough and an increase in body temperature, the child’s parents will contact the district clinic in order to call a pediatrician. Everything is correct.

Usually, the first regimen prescribed by the district pediatrician when a child is diagnosed with bronchitis necessarily includes cough syrup (usually plant-based), or some kind of synthetic mucolytic, that is, a sputum thinning agent. The second item, as a rule, is an antiviral drug, such as viferon or arbidol, and some doctors still prescribe an antihistamine drug for the prevention of allergies, and in general they do it right.

Fortunately, more and more practicing pediatricians prefer not oral forms of antitussive drugs, but a simple and extremely effective way to treat cough (bronchitis, laryngitis, obstructive bronchitis) in children – a nebulizer.

Cough syrups and bronchitis. How do syrups affect the symptoms of bronchitis in a child?

In general, all cough medicines can be divided into three main groups:

• A – drugs of central action, that is, those that suppress the cough reflex in the brain. They do not solve problems, but they create the appearance of improvement. Although in some rare cases it is difficult to do without them, for example, when a child has whooping cough;
• B – herbal preparations (mucaltin, pertussin, sinupret, and many others) mainly stimulate the secretion of the goblet glands of the respiratory tract, that is, they, on the contrary, increase the cough. The effectiveness of these drugs is higher, the older the child, but not earlier than 3 years! But in life there are, pardon the jargon, “nerds” who cannot cough themselves up even at the age of 14-15;
• B – preparations that thin sputum. These are basically all synthetic mucolytics: ACC, carbocysteine, ambroxol, erespal. Although a lot of things are written in the instructions for these drugs, but in the end, when a small child has bronchitis, and the doctor prescribes any syrup from group B or C, the result is always the same: the cough intensifies, but the result of this cough worsens. A small child does not have enough strength to cough up a large amount of sputum. This is especially noticeable on babies: while he lies on his back, he yells to the “blue”, they take him in his arms, he begins to cough a little and calm down, he can fall asleep in his arms with a “column”;

It should be clarified that an experienced pediatrician prescribes an antihistamine drug (zyrtec or fenistil) together with cough syrups, since their flavorings often cause allergies in a child, especially if he already had dermatitis on the skin.

Bronchitis in a child and nebulizer treatment

Inhalation with a compressor nebulizer is the best way to cure bronchitis in a child. For infants, competent pediatricians recommend adding 6-8 drops of berodual solution to the inhalation chamber to expand the airways and improve coughing. In addition to the bronchodilator (berodual), a solution for inhalation of lazolvan or ambrobene is added to the inhalation chamber of the nebulizer (for children under one year old – 0.5 ml, over a year old – 1.0 ml), and this cocktail of drugs is diluted with a small amount, about 1.0 ml of saline or children’s drinking water. The pediatrician prescribes such inhalations 2-3 times a day for 10 minutes for at least 5 days. But this is still not enough.

If you do only one inhalation, and nothing else, then the child’s cough and bronchitis can drag on for a long time. After inhalation (not immediately, but after about half an hour – an hour), but before feeding, you need to carry out a back massage with obligatory vibrational techniques (such as tapping with your fingertips, and for a child older than a year – with the edge of the palms along the intercostal space), as well as some simple procedures from breathing exercises. A child younger than a year is usually rolled on a fitball (a large massage ball), putting it on his stomach (up to 6-7 months), and at an older age, you can already put the child on the ball, like on a horse. Instead of a fitball, with some experience, you can use your own knees, then you can combine light jumping on your knees with a back massage. Children after 2 – 3 years old, as a rule, already can and love to play with various inflatable tubes or blow bubbles through straws.

In general, inhalations are good because the right medicine is delivered directly to the focus of inflammation itself, and is not “smeared” throughout the body. Plus, mineral water or saline, which we add to the nebulizer, moisturizes the mucous membranes of the trachea and bronchi, which suffer from drying at elevated temperatures and a strong cough in a child.

Recurrent bronchitis in a child

However, in some cases, bronchitis in a child becomes recurrent. In such cases, the outpatient tactics of pediatricians, unfortunately, often comes down to the monthly prescription of antibiotics. I have met parents of children who were given the idea by a certain doctor that their child could not get better without antibiotics. They laughed at the word inhalation and demanded from me another antibiotic for their child, like a dose for a drug addict.

This sad case should alert you if you see that the doctor prefers the easiest, as it seems to him, way of treating bronchitis in your child, especially if this bronchitis is not the first. In this case, you may need to consult an allergist-immunologist, who will have to collect the most thorough history, that is, study the life history of not only the child himself, but also his parents, as well as grandparents at least. Further, it may be necessary to conduct a special allergological examination, since recurrent bronchitis is nothing more than a harbinger of bronchial asthma, already a chronic bronchial disease. I’ll warn you right away that we can’t always carry out the full range of necessary diagnostic procedures in a small child, so sometimes the final diagnosis is postponed by an allergist-immunologist to an older age, but the doctor can still prescribe prophylactic anti-relapse treatment, which should help just avoid such a diagnosis in the future.