Also Known As
Chest infection or bronchitis
Description
* Bronchitis is an infection in the lungs caused either by a virus or a bacterium. The infection causes inflammation of the lung tissue. In general, viral and atypical bacterial infections will have either a dry cough, or a cough with white or light-yellow phlegm, while traditional bacteria will result in a cough with dark yellow or green phlegm. Untreated, bacterial Bronchitis can turn into pneumonia.
Symptoms
* Cough
* Phlegm
* Fever
* Chest pain worsens with deep breaths or coughs
Cause
* Viral -- adenovirus, Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, paraInfluenza, and others
* Atypical bacteria (e.g., Mycoplasma)
* Bacterial
* Fungi
How The Diagnosis Is Made
* Examination
1. Upper airway rhonchi (i.e., continuous sound produced in the throat; snorelike)
2. Test may also include a chest X-Ray, Pulmonary function tests, blood count, and sputum culture.
Treatment
* Viral
* Symptomatic treatment only
* Atypical bacteria -- Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Biaxin, Levaquin
* Bacterial -- many antibiotics work (some recommended are Ceftin, Augmentin, Levaquin)
Drink plenty of fluids, rest, stop smoking, and use vaporizers. These are all part of effective therapy plans. Bronchodilators, in the form of inhalers (aerosolized medications), may be prescribed. Steroid inhalers may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the airways.
Similiar Conditions
* Pneumonia
* Chronic Bronchitis
* Acute Sinusitis
* Bronchiectasis
* Cystic Fibrosis
* Influenza
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