Bronchitis

Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection, which is usually caused by a virus. The infection is most common in the winter and can affect both children and adults.

What is acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that causes inflammation in the trachea and in the parts of the respiratory tract called the bronchi. Acute bronchitis usually occurs after an infection in the upper respiratory tract, such as after a cold. Acute bronchitis often goes away on its own after 1-4 weeks, but in rare cases can develop into pneumonia.

Causes of acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, but in rare cases can also be caused by bacteria. Smoking (also passive smoking) and air pollution increase the risk of getting respiratory infections such as acute bronchitis.

• Symptoms of acute bronchitis

• Cough, both during the day and at night

• Phlegm cough (often starts as a dry cough)

• Sore throat and chest

• Colored and tough mucus that comes up when coughing

• Heavy breath

• Wheezing in the chest

• Usually no fever

Children with a strong cough may cough so much that they vomit. In case of severe coughing fits, the child should therefore be taken out of bed so that mucus and possible vomit does not block the airways.

Good advice for acute bronchitis

• Drink plenty of fluids as this thins the mucus and makes it easier to cough up.

• Keep calm and relax well.

• Try to cough as little as possible, as coughing causes small sores in the airways and thus more irritating coughs.

• Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking.

• Treatment of acute bronchitis

There is rarely a need for treatment other than rest, possibly stopping smoking and plenty of fluids. Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus, and antibiotics will therefore have no effect. Antibiotics also have no effect in the few cases where bacteria have been shown to be the cause of acute bronchitis.