Bronchitis: What It Is, Symptoms, Contagiousness, and Treatment

The structure that allows air circulation in the lungs is called the bronchus. Bronchitis occurs when the bronchi become inflamed and filled with mucus. This disease can manifest as either acute or chronic bronchitis, resulting in a productive cough. Bronchitis can develop in the body due to certain viruses. Respiratory infections or illnesses like the common cold can also lead to acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis, also known as chest cold, may resolve on its own within one week to ten days. However, the cough that arises from acute bronchitis can persist for weeks. Long-term smoking can irritate the bronchial tubes, leading to inflammation of the bronchi. Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, can occur due to factors such as prolonged smoking. It is one of the conditions that fall under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Treatment for chronic bronchitis may require medical intervention, as it does not typically resolve spontaneously.

What Are the Types of Bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is the type of bronchitis characterized by symptoms that are short-lived and resolve spontaneously as a result of inflammation of the bronchi. In some cases, bronchitis can recur frequently or may not show improvement for an extended period. In this case, chronic bronchitis may develop. The types of bronchitis are as follows:

• Acute Bronchitis: Typically caused by a viral infection, acute bronchitis can resolve spontaneously without the need for any treatment.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis, which leads to the production of a productive cough lasting at least three months, may require medical intervention, as it does not resolve on its own.

Is Bronchitis an Infectious Disease?

Bronchitis occurs as a result of swelling and mucus accumulation in the respiratory tract. It is not an infectious disease. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis can be contagious through close contact (such as shaking hands, hugging, or touching the same surfaces).

What Are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?

A cough lasting one to three weeks is one of the main symptoms of bronchitis. The cough associated with bronchitis may produce mucus. In some cases, bronchitis may result in only a dry cough. Some symptoms of bronchitis include:

• Wheezing or rattling sounds when breathing
• The presence of white or green mucus (sputum) accompanying the cough
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Increased body temperature and chills
• Discomfort in the chest
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat

In addition to all these symptoms, mild headaches or body aches similar to cold symptoms may also occur as a result of acute bronchitis.

What Causes Bronchitis?

Certain conditions that negatively affect health can lead to irritation in the airways. Bronchitis can develop as a result of this airway irritation. Some of the causes of bronchitis include:

• Viruses such as the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus (common cold), and coronavirus
• Certain bacteria such as Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Long-term smoking, exposure to air pollution, dust, or toxic gases

In addition to these conditions that cause bronchitis, certain factors can increase the risk of developing bronchitis. Some risk factors that can lead to bronchitis include:

• Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: Exposure to tobacco smoke can lead to infections in the bronchi.
• Weak Immune System: Certain illnesses, such as colds or flu, can weaken the immune system.
• Exposure to Irritants: Substances used in the production of grains or textiles can cause irritation in the lungs.
• Gastric Reflux: Prolonged stomach issues can lead to irritation in the throat.

Eliminating such factors that can cause irritation in the airways may help prevent the occurrence of bronchitis.

Can Bronchitis Formation Be Prevented?

There are some methods that can help prevent the formation of bronchitis in daily life. Some measures that can be taken to prevent bronchitis include:

• Avoiding Tobacco Smoke: Exposure to tobacco smoke is one of the factors that increases the risk of chronic bronchitis. Staying away from environments where smoking occurs can help prevent the formation of bronchitis.
• Getting Vaccinated: Some viruses can cause bronchitis. Receiving an annual flu vaccine can contribute to preventing the onset of the disease.
• Paying Attention to Hygiene Rules: Frequently washing hands and making a habit of using alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help reduce the risk of viral infections. Following such hygiene rules can aid in preventing the occurrence of bronchitis.

It is very important to pay attention to such methods in preventing bronchitis.

How Is Bronchitis Diagnosed?

In the first few days of the illness, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms of bronchitis from those of a cold. There is no specific test used to diagnose bronchitis. A physical examination performed by a doctor can help diagnose bronchitis. However, some tests may contribute to diagnosing the disease. Some of these tests include:

• Chest X-ray: An X-ray can help determine if there is another condition causing the cough. The X-ray results examined by the doctor can assist in diagnosing bronchitis.
• Sputum Tests: The mucus produced during coughing is called sputum. A sputum test can help in diagnosing bronchitis.
• Pulmonary Function Tests: Also known as respiratory function tests, this test can help measure the lung's working capacity. A respiratory function test can be used to diagnose bronchitis.

The physical examination and tests conducted can assist in diagnosing bronchitis.

How Is Bronchitis Treated?

Bronchitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. In the acute type, it may resolve spontaneously within a few weeks without the need for any treatment. However, in some cases, the symptoms resulting from bronchitis may not improve for an extended period. In this situation, medical interventions may be necessary to treat bronchitis. Some of the methods used to treat bronchitis include:

Medication Use:
Certain medications may be prescribed by a doctor for bronchitis. Some of the medications used in treatment include:

• Antiviral Drugs: Doctors may prescribe antiviral medications for bronchitis caused by a virus.
• Bronchodilators: Difficulty breathing may occur with the disease. In such cases, using a medication that helps open the airways can be effective.
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Infections can occur in the body as a result of bronchitis. Doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce infections in the body.
• Cough Suppressants: A persistent cough may occur due to bronchitis. Cough suppressant medications can help alleviate the cough.
• Antibiotics: In cases of bronchitis caused by bacteria, doctors may prescribe antibiotic medications. Antibiotics can contribute to the treatment.

The use of such medications can help in treating the disease.

Respiratory Therapy:
Performing respiratory exercises as a result of bronchitis can help relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath. In long-term illnesses like COPD, cystic fibrosis, and respiratory infections, respiratory therapy should be conducted with the assistance of specialists.

Illnesses are among the factors that negatively affect quality of life. Regular hospital check-ups are important to prevent the onset of diseases.

Bronchitis is a preventable disease. If you want to contribute to preventing respiratory diseases, do not neglect to attend routine hospital check-ups.