Is This Bacterial Bronchitis or Viral?

Bronchitis is a common infection is you commonly suffer with respiratory conditions. Bronchitis can happen to anyone regardless of age.

In most cases, bronchitis comes along when you have a cold or flu. In many cases, medical attention is not needed, especially if it is caused by a virus.

Usually in this case the condition will clear itself out in a couple of days. There are other types of bronchitis, however, that will require some medical attention.

One of these persisting types of bronchitis is bacterial bronchitis. The only this type of bronchitis will dissipate is through antibiotic treatments.

Bronchitis can result in acute or chronic conditions. These terms relates to the length or period of time that you suffer from bronchitis and its intensity.

Under acute conditions you will have intense symptoms that go way quickly. With chronic conditions, on the other hand, you will have more moderate symptoms that stay around for a long time. Bronchitis causes inflammation, irritation, and obstruction to the airways making it difficult to breathe.

If acute bronchitis is caused by a virus, you won’t need medical attention and will usually go away on its own in a few days. You can usually determine if you have bacterial bronchitis if the symptoms don’t lessen or go away in a few days.

You will need medical attention in this case. Some of the normal symptoms of acute bronchitis (regardless if it viral or bacterial) includes coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest soreness when you breathe.

You can also determine if your bronchitis is bacterial is your mucous is yellowish. If you are coughing blood, you need to see a doctor quickly. This usually points to pneumonia or another complication.

If your acute bronchitis doesn’t go away completely after a couple of weeks, it can sometimes turn into chronic bronchitis. Even though the symptoms become more moderate to deal with, ongoing symptoms can lead to other complications. If your bronchitis seems to be holding on, this is also a time to see your doctor.

Bronchitis, in general, is difficult to diagnose. It shares symptoms with other breathing disorders. For a correct diagnosis, lab tests and physical examinations will help determine if you have bronchitis or not.

It is best if you also try to reduce or eliminate your exposure to irritants such as dust, smoke, pollens, pollutants, and chemicals. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help. Remember, antibiotics should only be taken if you have bacterial bronchitis. Using a humidifier can also loosen up mucous to enable a more productive cough.