Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis

If you carefully observe the term 'asthmatic bronchitis', it consists of two pulmonary diseases, 'asthma' and 'bronchitis', both of them being listed under the category of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD). Bronchitis is a condition wherein inflammation occurs in the bronchial tubes which are meant to supply air to and from our lungs. This inflammation can lead to narrowing of the airways which can lead to breathing difficulties. On the other hand, asthma also leads to narrowing of the airway muscles due to inflammation. When both these conditions co-exist together, it is known as asthmatic bronchitis. The prefix of the term 'chronic' signifies that the condition has become highly persistent that it has led to excessive obstruction in the bronchial tubes. Mucus production is also observed in this condition resulting in wet cough and wheezing. Are you wondering if asthmatic bronchitis is contagious? Although, bronchitis is definitely contagious, chronic asthmatic bronchitis is not considered to be a contagious condition!

Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis Symptoms

This condition is a result of untreated acute bronchitis which further spreads and becomes chronic in nature, leading to a permanent damage due to prolonged infection, either due to bacteria and viruses, or due to external irritants that enter the airways via smoking. The symptoms of this condition are very similar to those that a person tends to experience when suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Some of them are mentioned as follows.

• Breathing difficulties
• Chest pain and tightness
• Infections in the respiratory system, like cold and flu
• Soreness and irritation in the throat
• Wet cough and wheezing which stays for several weeks
• Prolonged infections and symptoms that keep on reappearing
• Difficulty singing or even speaking in a high voice tone
• Weakness and fatigue
• The consistency of the mucus becomes thicker as compared to acute asthmatic bronchitis

If you are suffering from the chronic form of asthmatic bronchitis, you are likely to experience the aforementioned signs and symptoms for quite some time, which could be several weeks or more, perhaps. Which is why, it is important to get in touch with your healthcare specialist as soon as possible.

What Causes Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis?

This condition is an elevated form of untreated acute asthmatic bronchitis. There are various factors that can trigger this condition in a person. These factors include both internal as well as external factors. Some of these are mentioned as follows.

• Weak immune system
• Hyperactive respiratory tract
• Infections due to bacteria and viruses
• Respiratory infections, especially if it has been prevalent since childhood
• Smoking tobacco
• Exposure to allergens, pollutants, and certain chemicals
• Changes in the weather
• Physical and emotional stress

Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis: Medications and Treatment

After identifying the signs and symptoms of the condition, it is a must to get in touch with your healthcare specialist to prevent further complications. Because the condition is nothing but the co-existence of asthma and bronchitis, the treatment options that are used are the same as used in case of asthma and bronchitis. Your doctor would ask you to use long acting bronchodilators such as salmeterol and formeterol, which helps in opening up the bronchial tubes and clear the mucus so that more air can pass through them. These long-acting bronchodilators are taken along with inhaled corticosteroids which helps in minimizing the bothering symptoms like breathing problems and coughing. Oral medications may also be prescribed to control some additional symptoms of the condition.

Apart from the treatment options, it is also very important to bring some lifestyle changes in your daily routine. Give up on smoking tobacco and avoid exposure towards allergens and pollutants. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly (as advised by the doctor). This would help you build up a healthy immune system. Breathing exercises and meditation will also help make the respiratory system more stronger. And last but not the least, it is very important to get yourself checked regularly by your healthcare specialist. I hope this brief write-up helped you gain a better understanding about the condition. After all, educating yourself is the first step towards having a safe and healthy tomorrow. Right?

By Shalu Bhatti

How Long is Bronchitis Contagious after taking Antibiotics

Bronchitis is a medical problem, concentrated in the bronchial tubes of the respiratory system. The mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes (or simply bronchi) is inflamed, thus affecting the air passage leading to the lungs. Depending upon the length of the illness episode, it can be acute or chronic bronchitis. The former is caused by infections, while the latter is developed due to inhaled irritants. With this brief highlight, let's discuss 'is bronchitis contagious' and 'how long is bronchitis contagious after taking antibiotics' in the following paragraphs.

Is Bronchitis Contagious?

According to bronchitis etiology, short-term or acute condition usually follows a common cold, flu or infections of the respiratory tract, while long-term or chronic bronchitis is manifested after exposure to respiratory irritants. So, is bronchitis contagious? Well, the answer is yes for acute bronchitis, and no for most of the chronic cases. When bronchitis is caused by infections (viral or bacterial), then only it is transmittable to other healthy individuals. Since acute bronchitis is caused due to cold, flu and alike infections, the pathogens can transmit in the same way like common cold and influenza viruses.

Is Bronchitis Contagious after Taking Antibiotics?

So, the common questions are, when is bronchitis contagious? And how long is bronchitis contagious after taking antibiotics? Bronchitis is most contagious in the first few days after the patient manifests notable symptoms. Considering the fact that viral infection is responsible for 90 percent of this acute respiratory disease, administering antibiotics is not always necessary. In other words, antibacterial therapy for bronchitis is applicable for only 5 - 10 percent patients. Also, antibiotics are recommended, if the person with acute bronchitis symptoms is suspected to have a secondary bacterial infection.

People having acute viral bronchitis recover after a few days, though dry cough may persist for a week or so. In general, patients diagnosed with acute bronchitis are given antibiotic treatment, if they remain symptomatic even after 10 - 14 days. Another identifiable sign of bacterial infection is productive cough with yellowish mucus. In addition to this, a sudden bout of acute bronchitis is not unusual in people having chronic bronchitis. For such a case, antibiotic medications are prescribed for prompt treatment. Even though the symptoms lessen after taking antibiotics, the contagiousness still continue for some days.

How Long is Bronchitis Contagious after taking Antibiotics?

As we have seen above, bacterial bronchitis is contagious even after advocating antibiotic medications. But, actually how long is bronchitis contagious after you start taking antibiotics? Acute bronchitis remains contagious, and the infected patient can spread pathogenic microbes to others as long as he/she continues to cough, or manifests symptoms. Thus, the same preventive measures are indicated to patients during and after the bronchitis treatment course. They should follow good respiratory hygiene, as directed by the doctor. It is best to remain indoors and take rest, until symptoms subside completely. That way, spreading of bronchitis can be minimized effectually.

With this information, I hope you have understood all about bronchitis transmission and how long is bronchitis contagious after taking antibiotics. The spreading of bronchitis can be prevented by adopting basic hygiene and personal cleanliness tips. Infected individuals should make sure that they use a hard towel to cover their mouth while coughing, and avoid sharing personal items (clothes, utensils) with others. Also, to avoid exacerbation of acute bronchitis to chronic cases, it is of utmost importance to quit smoking and minimize inhalation of pollutants as far as possible. With proper care from the patient's side, managing the symptoms and bronchitis containment can be easily achieved.

By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani

Bacterial Bronchitis

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the membranes of the bronchi. It is a respiratory disease caused by a particular virus, bacteria, or other pathogens. Bronchitis can be acute as well as chronic. As the symptoms of viral and bacterial bronchitis are more or less the same, only a doctor can differentiate between the two. Here we will see more on bacterial bronchitis.

Bacterial Bronchitis
The inflammation of the bronchi in the respiratory system caused due to bacteria results in bacterial bronchitis. Bacterial bronchitis is rarer than viral bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is mostly caused due to viruses. Only in rare cases acute bronchitis is caused by bacteria. One of the major difference between viral and bacterial bronchitis is that viral bronchitis is very contagious, whereas bacterial bronchitis is not. As one cannot differentiate between these two types of bronchitis easily, it is recommended to stay away from the person suffering from any kind of bronchitis. Bronchitis is highly contagious within the first week when the symptoms are visible. Bacteria like mycoplasma pneumoniae, streptococcus, bordatella pertussis and chlamydophila pneumoniae cause bronchitis in human beings. Let us take a look at the other causes of bacterial bronchitis.

Bacterial Bronchitis Causes
Weaker immunity is the most prominent cause of any of the respiratory diseases. On the other hand, if common cold or influenza (flu) are left untreated, they can result in chronic bronchitis. Similarly, if a person is suffering from GERD or any other respiratory illnesses, there is an increased risk of bronchitis. Constant exposure to air pollution, industrial smoke, cigarette smoke, etc can also cause bacterial bronchitis in people. On the other hand, if a person constantly has allergy attacks, he is more susceptible to bacterial bronchitis.

Bacterial Bronchitis Symptoms
The symptoms of bacterial bronchitis differ from person to person. Most of the bacterial bronchitis symptoms are similar to that of other illnesses caused due to bacterial infections. The symptoms of bacterial bronchitis can continue for weeks together. The following are the signs and symptoms of bacterial bronchitis.

• Slight fever
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Cough with yellowish mucus
• Hoarseness
• Backache
• Chills
• Wheezing
• Tiredness

Bacterial Bronchitis Treatment
As mentioned above, the symptoms of bacterial bronchitis are similar to many other medical conditions and hence diagnosis of this disease becomes very difficult. Therefore, if one notices these symptoms present for more than a couple of days, he should consult a doctor immediately. Chest x-rays, blood tests, nasal culture, etc. will be helpful in diagnosis of the disease. Antibiotics have proven to be helpful for treating bacterial bronchitis. The doctor may also prescribe other medications to alleviate cough, fever and other symptoms of bronchitis. It is very necessary to continue taking the medicines regularly up to the stipulated time because if acute bronchitis is left untreated, it can result in chronic bronchitis. In order to reduce the discomfort caused due to symptoms of bacterial bronchitis, you should try to avoid exposure to cold and dry air. You should try to keep the air moist and humid. You can even make use of vaporizers and other products that help in breathing freely. Hot baths and complete rest is also very helpful in treating bronchitis. It is also recommended to keep the body well hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water.

Bacterial bronchitis can be prevented by following certain precautions. If you are wondering how to prevent bronchitis, then you should remember some simple things. You should stay away from any allergens that lead to allergic attacks. You should not ignore colds and other bacterial infections, but get them treated as soon as possible. On the other hand, you should also try to save yourself from pollution and cigarette smoke. Lastly, do not ignore any of the respiratory disease symptoms as they can be signs of serious diseases.

By Madhura Pandit

How Long Does a Bronchial Infection Last

Bronchial infection, also referred to as bronchitis, is a condition that is typically marked by the swelling of the inside walls of the bronchial tubes. As we all know, the bronchial tubes, also known as bronchi, is a passage that connects the wind pipe with the lungs. So when these bronchial tubes show inflammation, it does not allow the air to move freely in and out of the lungs. Restricted air flow brings about breathing problems in people suffering from bronchial infection. Frequently coughing mucus, chest pain, and fever, are the other signs of bronchial infection.

How Long Does a Bronchial Infection Last

There are different factors responsible for triggering a bronchial infection. The infection of the bronchial tubes falls under two categories; viral and bacterial. Moreover, it can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). All these factors as well as the underlying cause of bronchitis influence the duration of the infection. It is discussed below:

Influenza
Influenza, better known as seasonal flu, is classified as a viral infection that may also affect the bronchial tubes. The virus specifically targets the organs of the respiratory system. Hence, the person diagnosed with influenza experiences a stuffy nose, frequent bouts of dry cough, and a sore throat. Muscle aches and high fever is a common complaint among flu sufferers. Bronchitis is considered as a complication of seasonal influenza, and usually occurs in people with a weakened immune system. Bronchitis arising from seasonal flu is sudden, and usually goes away within 7 - 10 days.

Common Cold
Common cold infections that people usually experience 3 - 4 times in a year can also cause bronchitis. The infection is usually caused by rhinovirus, typically affects the nose and the throat. Runny nose, cough, watery eyes, and frequent sneezing, are some of the most common symptoms of a common cold. Bronchial infection due to common cold usually is not severe, and may last up to 7 days.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia strikes the lungs and is the result of either a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. In this type of respiratory problem, the tissues that form the lungs become inflamed. People diagnosed with pneumonia typically find it difficult to breathe, and this may be followed by fever, productive cough, chest discomfort, fatigue and nausea. When pneumonia leads to bronchitis, it may take almost a month before the bronchial infection finally disappears.

Smoking
Smokers are prone to chronic bronchitis that does not go away so easily. The habit of smoking also causes long-standing bronchitis, that may remain for about 3 months. However, this initial period of 90 days is not the end of the bronchitis. Years of smoking can cause bronchitis to recur at regular intervals, and this may continue for at least two years.

How Long is a Bronchial Infection Contagious

Often, patients ask, is acute bronchitis contagious, how long does a bronchial cough last, and does it go away immediately after the infection has cleared away! Unfortunately, it is observed that patients continue to cough intermittently even if bronchitis heals completely. Although the infection has been cured, it leaves the air passages irritated, which is the reason why the person experiences intermittent bouts of coughing for quite some time. Bronchitis is a contagious infection, meaning it can migrate from one person to another. The infection uses air as its mode of transmission. So, coughing spells from an infected patient is the perfect opportunity for the infection to spread to healthy individuals. The point is the person who gets it after coming in contact with an infected person may not show all the symptoms of bronchitis. He may either suffer from a mild form of bronchitis or have an upper respiratory tract infection that affects only the throat and nose. Also, the ability of the virus or bacteria to spread persists as long as the infection persists. The contagious duration is dependent upon the amount of time the infection stays in the body. When the infection completes its course and clears away, it will no longer be contagious. Fortunately, chronic bronchitis is not contagious, and so the answer to the question is chronic bronchitis contagious', will be 'No'.

This was all about how long does a bronchial infection last. On the whole, acute bronchial infections resulting from respiratory conditions like common cold and influenza usually last for a week or two, but may extend up to few months (6 weeks) in case the infection is severe. Bronchial infection staying more than 6 weeks is indicating that the infection has also spread to the lungs. Whereas in chronic bronchitis, the symptoms subside and exacerbate for many years. Managing chronic bronchitis effectively is possible and involves abstaining from smoking and minimizing exposure to air pollutants by wearing a face mask.

By Nicks J