Is Bronchitis Contagious


Bronchitis, a Breathing Disease

Bronchitis is the swelling in the passage of the windpipe, which in turn connect to the lungs.  Bronchitis starts with the irritation in the bronchial tubes.  Then, there is a formation of mucus. The mucus deposit blocks the air passage. This creates problem in breathing.

Type of Bronchitis

There are two types of Bronchitis:

1. Acute Bronchitis
2. Chronic Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis occurs due to severe cold and stays for a shorter period of time. But Chronic Bronchitis usually is the pain in the chest. This is accompanied by cough and fever.  There is a difficulty in breathing too in case of chronic bronchitis.

Effects of Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic Bronchitis lasts for a long time and mucus is released during cough.  The patients find it difficult to breathe for a longer time.  The level of difficulty may vary from person to person.  They may fall sick due to lung infections too.  The other names of this disease are ‘chronic obstructive lung disease’ and ‘chronic obstructive air passage disease’.  The difficulty lies in respiration in the body of the patient.  Let us analyze, is Bronchitis contagious or not?

Is Bronchitis contagious?

It is extremely true.  It is contagious disease.  The virus can transfer the disease when you sneeze or cough.  In the initial stage, there is a swelling in the air passage. At this time, there is no formation of virus.  When the bacteria released by the patients through sneeze and cough spreads through the air, the disease gets spread to others around.  The infected person should consult a physician immediately and get medicines. Otherwise it leads to pneumonia too.  Both the types of Bronchitis are contagious.  The viral infection is powerful and it may affect the healthy people around through indirect and direct contacts.

How to Prevent Bronchitis?

By following healthy and hygienic daily routine, we can prevent the disease from spreading.  Cleanliness is very important.  As virus lies everywhere, wash your hands before meals and after using the toilets.  Do not spread the infection in the air by sneezing and coughing.  Use a hand towel, if you are having such a problem.  Asthmatic patients develop acute Bronchitis.  Taking antibiotics is the best solution to get relief from acute Bronchitis.  Only such medicines can work well with viral infections.  Take the advice of doctor for the consumption of medicines and follow the dosage and duration strictly.  Other than taking medicines, take lot of fluids and bed rest is important for the patients.  Antibiotics are is helpful in preventing further infections.  Asthma patients can consult a doctor and get themselves medicated in such scenarios.  They can take the medicines regularly and use the inhaler for fast relief.  This will widen the passage of respiratory organs and affected person can feel more comfortable.

Get to know the reality on IsBronchitisContagious and prevent yourself from falling into the rap of broncitis with ease. Read more about seasonal allergy symptoms with our Health Partners

FAQ. Bronchitis Info

How to treat bronchitis?

  • Adhere to the following tips and this would help you lots in treating bronchitis
  • Minimize your exposure to irritants. Quit smoking
  • A vaporizer can ease your breathing difficulty
  • Let your mouth and nose not be exposed to cool air around
  • Hot bath can relax you lots before sleeping
  • Take proper medication on time and avoid taking too much of cough syrup
  • Increase fluid intake and stop taking diary products sugar rich food and processed food items to alleviate the allergic reaction

Who discovered bronchitis?

The first case of broncitis was discovered in 1808. The term bronchitis was coined by Charles Badham in the year 1808. However, Greeks have been suing the term ‘excess phlegm’ to refer to this lung problem earlier.

How to prevent bronchitis?

Wash your hands and legs as often as you can especially when you roam around and come back home. Minimize your exposure to pollutants. Use a mask to cover your mouth and nose. Ensure that your immunity is high and get your vaccinations on time

How long does bronchitis last?

Bronchitis symptoms are generally visible for 1-2 weeks timeframe. However, the cough and sneezing can continue for a few weeks too. It is very contagious during the first one week.

What is chronic bronchitis?

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the lungs. This often causes constriction to the air passage in and out of the lungs. The cilia that is present adjoining the air passage secrete mucus and obstruct the passage of air thereby leading to suffocation. When this continues to be present for around a few months timeframe, then it is termed as chronic bronchitis. Smoking has been proven to be the main cause of chronic bronchitus.

What causes bronchitis

Bronchitis is caused by bacteria and viruses. Rhino virus, influenza and adenoviridae are a few that can cause bronchitis. However, chronic bronchitis is often caused due to the habit of smoking. Occupational exposure to pollutants has also been determined to be the cause of brochitis.

How do you get bronchitis?

Bronchitis is caused usually by bacterial or viral infections. However, it is contagious and can also be caused just by being in touch with the infected person. Second hand smoke can even result in accumulation of irritants in the air passage which in turn can result in broncitis

204 responses to “Is Bronchitis Contagious”

  1. how long is bronchitis contagious after taking antibiotics?
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  2. @bobby
    Bronchitis is contagious after 2-3 days since you contracted this problem. But antibiotics help in alleviating the problem. Still the health problem is contagious since you will have cough associated with this disease
    search: causes of bronchitis

  3. Bronchitis, basically, is the swelling of the bronchia, thus, it is not contagious. However, as the bacteria starts to form, the disease then is contageous the moment the bacteria was emitted into the air.
    search: tracheal bronchitis

  4. is bronchitis sore throat bacterial contagious?
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  5. @Naomi
    Yes. It is very contagion. The viral infection can spread by touch even. Infected person needs to take care and be clean
    search: bronchitis treatments

  6. @David
    Transmission can happen via sneezing, coughing and even by simple touching,. The infected person has to wash hands and keep himself clean in order to avoid transmission. Overall, broncitis is heavily contageous.
    search: signs and symptoms of bronchitis

  7. Acute bronchitis due to sinus infection is contagious?
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  8. @Williams
    First of all, I would say that acute bronchitis is contagious. It can spread during the first five days time. But you can 100% vouch that it will not spread only after 2 weeks since infection. Chronic bronchitis is not contagious. Even in acute bronchitis the said facts hold good if if there is no relapse.

  9. @Massa
    Yes it is. But you can always ensure that it does not spread much by isolating the items used by the infected patient. Wash hands and legs properly as often as you can and definitely before eating and after toilet. Be clean at home and keep the place tidy. This would help
    search: is bronchitis contageous

  10. how long is acute bronchitis contagious?
    search: bronchitis pneumonia

  11. @Clifford
    Bronchitis is contagious for the first 5-6 days time. You can be very sure that it will not spread only after 2 weeks since infection commences. Acute bronchitis is contagious while chronic is not.

  12. @Garry
    Thanks for that fact. This is absolutely true. The disease is badly contagious and that is what makes this disease dreadful.
    search: bronchitis cure

  13. It is not contagious. However, if you have the chest infection accompanied by yellow phlegm expelling cough then it is definitely contagious. So be careful

  14. Acute bronchitis is contagious. Choric one is not. Acute spreads during the first 5-6 days time in 90% of cases. 2 weeks is the safe zone after which the disease is not contagious at all. This holds good if there’s no relapse of the disease.

  15. how long are you contageous with a sinus infection?
    search: chronic bronchitis home remedies

  16. how long to stay out of work with bronchitis?
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  17. For the first 5-6 days, bronchitis would be deadly contagious. So after that you can resume work comfortably. The chances of spreading is drastically reduced after this period

  18. Any bacterial or viral infection is contagious during the first one week. After that the sinus infection prolongs but loses the contagiousness contained within it. so it is better to be careful during the initial one week period.

  19. Yes this is contageous. Actually, the bacteria or the virus that has caused this when gets expelled via sneezing and coughing tends to spread the disease. If an individual gets lung inflammation due to other reasons, that might not be contagious.

  20. This cough during the initial one week is contagious. After that they loose the virulence present in them and hence do not seem to be contagious. However, it is better to keep away from children till you are completely alright.

  21. what is the scientific name for bronchitis?
    search: chronic bronchitis treatment

  22. what is the bacteria that causes bronchitis?
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  23. Just take rest. Drink fluids. Take medicines properly. Stop smoking immediately. Reduce the triggers around you. Don’t use too many cough suppressants. Consult your doctor immediately. This would help

  24. curing would take a bit of time. Medications are thebest way to get out of the disease. But try to be clean. Move out of irritants. Stay away from smoking.this would help you.

  25. Lab test can detect the disease with ease. Instead of concluding this by yourself, better consult your doctor and take medication accordingly.

  26. Prolonged and continuous bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. Out of experience, I was able to feel a gargling sound in my lungs when the bronchitis turned to pneumonia. Crackling noises in the larynx was really was the difference.

  27. Streptococcus, pneumoniae, Branhamela catarrhalis, Bordatella pertussis Haemophilus influenzae, Bordatella parapertussis are the bacteria that can cause bronchitis. Other than this, viruses can cause the disease. Yet another causing agent is mycoplasmas

  28. The disease would be contagious for the first one week. so take off during that time along. After that you can rejoin. but maintain clean habits and keep away from others as much as possible till it subsides

  29. unless you are a doctor you might want to read this article–both bronchitis’ are contagious according to this article and being that i have 4 out of six in our house hold with it i highly believe they are both contagious depending on the stage of it
    search: bronchitis remedies

  30. is bronchitis associated with swine flu? Was diagnosed with Bronchitis today and was given meds to take.

  31. I don’t know what i have i don’t think its bronchitis but then again im not a doctor.. for the past like 3-4 days i have been having problems breathing and it feels like i have a 100 pound weight on my chest.. between the 3rd and 4th rib from the bottem

    i have been explosed to secondhand smoke but i don’t smoke my self. if anyone can help me figure out what i got it would be greatly appreciated..
    you can contact me at
    Cowgirlthirty2@yahoo.com

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