Acute Bronchitis

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Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

The same viruses that cause colds and the flu often cause acute bronchitis. These viruses spread through the air when people cough, or though physical contact (for example, on unwashed hands). Being exposed to tobacco smoke, air pollution, dusts, vapors, and fumes can also cause acute bronchitis. Bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis, but not as often as viruses.

Most cases of acute bronchitis get better within several days. But your cough can last for several weeks after the infection is gone. If you think you have acute bronchitis, see your healthcare provider.

Treatments include rest, fluids, and aspirin (for adults) or acetaminophen to treat fever. A humidifier or steam can also help. You may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if you are wheezing. You probably do not need antibiotics. They don't work against viruses—the most common cause of acute bronchitis. If your healthcare provider thinks you have a bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe antibiotics.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Provided by: NIH - National Institute of Health

Links shared publicly online about this topic

Acute Bronchitis: MedlinePlus

nlm.nih.gov — “Acute BronchitisView full resource at nlm.nih.gov

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Most Recently Shared on January 12, 2011 at 7:44 pm By:

Lung_Breathing Lungs and Breathing OW Health

MedlinePlus: Acute Bronchitis: (Source: NLM General Announcements)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Watch the new MedWorm... http://bit.ly/gWgBCl

1 year ago...

The AFP Community Blog: Antibiotics for acute bronchitis: just don't do it

afpjournal.blogspot.com — “The AFP Community Blog: Antibiotics for acute bronchitis: just don't do itView full resource at afpjournal.blogspot.com

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Most Recently Shared on December 9, 2010 at 2:30 pm By:

kennylinafp Kenny Lin, MD Family Medicine Doctor, Physician, and Doctor

Antibiotics for acute bronchitis: just don't do it: In 1998, AFP published an article on acute bronchitis that p... http://bit.ly/fpzC4r

1 year ago...

Emergency Medicine News - Treatment of acute bronchitis with EPs 7630; a randomized, controlled trial in children and adolescents |3964865

mdlinx.com — “Emergency Medicine Medical Article: Treatment of acute bronchitis with EPs 7630; a randomized, controlled trial in children and adolescentsView full resource at mdlinx.com

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Most Recently Shared on March 24, 2012 at 4:51 am By:

MDLinx Sandeep Pulim MD Doctor, Health Communicator, and Physician

Treatment of acute bronchitis with EPs 7630; a randomized, controlled trial in children and adolescents: Ped... http://t.co/JyfCF1by #ER

2 months ago...

Beta2-agonists for acute bronchitis. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011] - PubMed result

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov — “PubMed is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that includes over 19 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles back to the 1950s. PubMed includes links to full text articles and other related resources.View full resource at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Most Recently Shared on July 15, 2011 at 6:07 am By:

Lung_Breathing Lungs and Breathing OW Health

Beta2-agonists for acute bronchitis.: Authors: Becker LA, Hom J, Villasis-Keever M, van der Wouden JC There ... http://bit.ly/nT65nS

10 months ago...

Clinical Cases and Images: CasesBlog: Acute bronchitis: Many patients expect to be treated with antibiotics and cough meds but this differs from guidelines

casesblog.blogspot.com — “Health News Updated Daily by an Assistant Professor at University of Chicago, Internist and AllergistView full resource at casesblog.blogspot.com

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Most Recently Shared on February 23, 2011 at 2:46 pm By:

plspassthegas Ron Memije Advanced Practice Nurse and Nurse

Acute bronchitis: Many patients expect to be treated with antibiotics and cough meds but this differs from guidelines http://j.mp/fjKIPH

1 year ago...

Infectious Disease Article | Bronchitis

mdlinx.com — “Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute BronchitisView full resource at mdlinx.com

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Most Recently Shared on December 8, 2010 at 3:48 pm By:

MDLinx Sandeep Pulim MD Doctor, Health Communicator, and Physician

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Bronchitis: American Family Physician http://bit.ly/fUvryv #ID

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Acute Bronchitis -- Common Infections -- familydoctor.org

familydoctor.org — “Information about acute bronchitis from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).View full resource at familydoctor.org

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Most Recently Shared on December 21, 2009 at 11:00 am By:

Bronchitis, Acute and Chronic: Treatment & Medication - eMedicine Pediatrics: General Medicine

emedicine.medscape.com — “Treatment: Acute bronchitis is a clinical syndrome produced by inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. In children, acute bronchitis usually occurs in association with viral respiratory tract infection. Acute bronchitis is rarely a primary bacterial infection ...View full resource at emedicine.medscape.com

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Bronchitis Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment by eMedicineHealth.com

emedicinehealth.com — “Learn about bronchitis, an inflammation of the air passages within your lungs. Symptoms include coughing and wheezing.View full resource at emedicinehealth.com

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Most Recently Shared on December 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm By:

MD4U Dr Richardson Doctor, Family Medicine Doctor, and Physician

#bronchitis symptoms, causes, treatment http://is.gd/5qrih cold symptoms, cough, breath short, wheezing, low fever

2 years ago...

Sinusitis: Self-Care Remedies and Treatment Options - Sinusitis and Bronchitis Center " Everyday Health

everydayhealth.com — “Sinusitis is a nasal infection that can occur when cold and allergy symptoms linger. Learn about at-home sinus remedies and types of sinusitis treatment.View full resource at everydayhealth.com

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Most Recently Shared on March 6, 2010 at 11:04 pm By:

Infectious Dis. Medical News about Bronchitis, Chronic

mdlinx.com — “Antibiotics in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitisView full resource at mdlinx.com

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Most Recently Shared on May 13, 2010 at 9:52 am By:

MDLinx Sandeep Pulim MD Doctor, Health Communicator, and Physician

Antibiotics in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy http://bit.ly/bKQrm2 #ID

2 years ago...

Emergency Med Medical News about Bronchitis, Chronic

mdlinx.com — “Antibiotics in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitisView full resource at mdlinx.com

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Most Recently Shared on May 14, 2010 at 12:05 am By:

MDLinx Sandeep Pulim MD Doctor, Health Communicator, and Physician

Antibiotics in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy http://bit.ly/bzm6Bi #ER #mdlinx

2 years ago...

Symptom resolution assessed using a patient directed diary card during treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

ukpmc.ac.uk — “Symptom resolution assessed using a patient directed diary card during treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitisView full resource at ukpmc.ac.uk

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Most Recently Shared on January 2, 2010 at 3:35 pm By:

jensmccabe Jen S. McCabe Health Executive

study on chronic bronchitis, antibiotics and incorporation of patient diary card: http://tinyurl.com/yckbydw

2 years ago...

Bronchitis Named the Most Commonly Treated Condition in Kids : Pediatric News

pediatricnews.com — “Pediatric News is the leading independent news source for the pediatrician, offering news about pediatric infectious diseases, Behavioral Consult, Infectious Disease Consult, Letters from Maine, Subspecialist Consult, Beyond the White Coat, Passport to Pediatrics, Practice Trends, Policy and Practice, Practical Parenting.View full resource at pediatricnews.com

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Most Recently Shared on January 11, 2012 at 8:11 pm By:

MedicalNewsNet Bob Finn - Medical News Net Health News

Acute bronchitis was the most commonly treated condition in U.S. children aged 17 years and under in 2008 - http://t.co/AbRCon5c

4 months ago...

When antibiotics are required for acute bronchitis treatment - by Nicole Evans M.D. - Helium

helium.com — “Acute bronchitis is a very common condition, particularly in the cold and flu season. In general, it is one of the most common conditions people s..., Nicole Evans M.D.View full resource at helium.com

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Most Recently Shared on January 31, 2011 at 8:44 am By:

IntegrateMD Nicole Evans M.D. Doctor, Medical Student, and Physician

When antibiotics can help the cough and congestion of acute bronchitis: http://tiny.ly/s3uI

1 year ago...

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