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| Acute Bronchitis, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Acute bronchitis is inflammation or irritation of the bronchi that lasts for 10–14 days. The bronchi are the tubes that carry air from the throat to the lungs.
Acute bronchitis is quite common. According to research, 44 out of 1,000 adults experience acute bronchitis each year. As many as 82% of the incidence indicates that acute bronchitis strikes at the turn of the season.
Acute bronchitis is generally characterized by a cough that lasts up to 3 weeks. If it lasts more than 3 weeks, the condition is called chronic bronchitis.
Causes of Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is generally caused by a viral infection. The infection makes the bronchi become inflamed so that the respiratory tract becomes narrow and filled with mucus. Mucus that collects in the respiratory tract is the body's natural response to fighting infection.
In addition to viral infections, acute bronchitis can also be caused by several other conditions, namely:
- Bacterial infection
- Exposure to irritating substances, such as dust and smoke
- Acid reflux disease (GERD)
Risk factors for acute bronchitis
Although it can happen to anyone, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of suffering from acute bronchitis, namely:
- Male gender
- Under 5 years old (toddlers) or over 50 years old (elderly)
- Smoking or frequent exposure to secondhand smoke (passive)
- Frequent exposure to hazardous substances, such as dust or chemicals
- Have a weak immune system, for example because of suffering from HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment
- Have had asthma before
- Suffering from gastric acid reflux disease (GERD)
- Not getting the influenza or pneumonia vaccine
Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis
Symptoms that can arise from acute bronchitis include:
- Cough with white, yellow, or green phlegm
- Hard to breathe
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Shivering
- Muscle and back pain
- Weak
- Headache
Since the common cause is a viral or bacterial infection, acute bronchitis can be passed from person to person. Transmission can occur when the sufferer coughs or sneezes so that the splash of saliva spreads in the air, then enters the nose or mouth of another person.
Apart from splashing the patient's saliva, the virus can also be spread when someone holds a contaminated object, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, without washing their hands first.
When to go to the doctor
Symptoms of acute bronchitis last no more than 3 weeks. Check with a doctor if you experience the above symptoms and last more than 3 weeks, or the symptoms occur repeatedly.
You also need to see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever over 38°C or more
- Cough with phlegm accompanied by blood
- Difficulty breathing
Diagnosis of Acute Bronchitis
The doctor will ask questions related to the symptoms experienced by the patient and the patient's medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including listening to the patient's lungs using a stethoscope.
To establish a diagnosis, the doctor will perform further examinations in the form of:
- Blood gas analysis, to measure oxygen levels in the blood
- Blood test, to detect infection in the body
- Sputum examination, to determine the type of bacteria that causes acute bronchitis
- Pulmonary function test, to measure how well the lungs are breathing, by asking the patient to inhale and exhale using a spirometer
- Chest X-ray, to see the condition of the inside of the lungs
Acute Bronchitis Treatment
Acute bronchitis is generally classified as mild and the symptoms that arise can subside on their own. However, doctors can give some medicines to patients to relieve symptoms, namely:
- Pain and fever relievers, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol
- Cough and cold relievers, such as guaifenesin or erdostein
In addition to the drugs above, patients can also perform self-care at home to relieve symptoms and speed up healing, namely by:
- Drink water every 1-2 hours.
- Enough rest.
- Quit smoking or stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Use an indoor humidifier.
- Inhale the steam of warm water, to make the respiratory tract relieved
- Use a mask when you are on the move or outdoors
Complications of Acute Bronchitis
If not treated properly, acute bronchitis can lead to several complications, such as:
- Infection of the bloodstream (bacteremia)
- Pneumonia
- Chronic bronchitis, especially if acute bronchitis occurs repeatedly
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Bronchitis Prevention
There are a number of efforts that can be done to reduce the risk of acute bronchitis, namely:
- Wash your hands with soap and running water regularly
- Don't smoke and avoid cigarette smoke
- Cover mouth and nose when sneezing
- Getting the flu or pneumonia vaccine
- Avoid exposure to harmful substances or air pollution
- Making sure to get enough sleep and rest
- Eat healthy and nutritious foods, such as vegetables or fruits
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