is inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs . When these tubes get irritated, they enlarge and produce more mucus. The swollen tubes and increased mucus trigger cough and may make it difficult for you to breathe. Acute bronchitis usually develops quickly and stays 2 to 3 weeks in otherwise healthy people.
What causes acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is commonly caused by a virus. It is more common during cold months and often develops after an upper respiratory tract infection such as influenza or a cold.Acute bronchitis can also be caused by exposure to smoke, chemicals, or air pollution, all of which can irritate the bronchial tubes.
What are the risks of acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is a little risk. Pneumonia is the most serious complication and is most likely to develop if you have a long-term acute disease, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or heart failure, or a weak immune system.
How effective are antibiotics for acute bronchitis?
Studies on antibiotics and acute bronchitis states that antibiotics on an average control cough after 1 to 2 weeks, but they have no effect on a night cough or a cough with mucus.
What are the risks of using antibiotics?
Antibiotics have side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, sore mouth, skin rash, dizziness, and headache. Frequent use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, as a result the bacteria changes in a way that allows them to survive despite the medicine, so that the antibiotic may not work the next time it is used.
