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”
CAN YOU SEXUAL TRANSMIT BRONCHITIS?
really thank you for the informations. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.
I hope no one really believes the garbage on this web site! For one thing, antibiotics only work with BACTERIAL infections, not viruses. Viruses cause bronchitis 90% of the time. Bacterial infections only cause bronchitis 10% of the time. Going by the grammar used in the replies, this sounds like this is coming from someone who doesn’t speak English, besides the fact they have no medical background. There are plenty of other web sites on bronchitis that will confirm what I’ve said.
It’s true what Sarah says–I’ve had bronchitis for 12 days and I’m starting to feel better with NO antibiotics. Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections and if you take them when you don’t need them, you develop resistance. Then next time they won’t work as well. Only people who are otherwise compromised (lung disease, heavy smokers, elderly, babies) and might have a secondary infection which could lead to pneumonia should consider antibiotics. Otherwise, wait it out–your body will heal itself in 1-2 weeks. Use cough syrup and/or decongestant at night to help with sleeping. Take a little Tylenol for body aches. Don’t cough into your hands. Don’t shake hands with people. Drink lots of water. Get more rest. Take a nap. Take some vitamin C and echinacea. Wash your hands a lot or use antibacterial gel. Change hand towels. Don’t share drinks. Stay home from work so you don’t contaminate your co-workers. It is very contagious–the whole family has it now-mother, husband, brother, even my 16 month old–who recovered the fastest.
As per my understanding, bronchitis cannot cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome. However, as on date, the real cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome sill remains unknown. But the health problem affects the peripheral nerves while broncitis is something different altogether.
Your feedback is important to us. Thanks for dripping your comment here. We would work towards improvement and shall offer you more information on this in future.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010701/cochrane.html – check out this site for the evidence based answer. However, antibiotics had been the panacea for bronchitis in the past. Things are just changing now. However, thanks for the feedback. we will work towards improving the site in every possible way.
Antibiotics was used in treating antibiotics. But of late, the trend is changing. However, patients attacked by cough start feeling better with time and that is what has happened to you too. Doctors nowadays have stopped prescribing antibiotics for bronchitis though it was given earlier to alleviate the problem. Thanks for your valuable points too.
i have signs of bronchitas comming can this be a sign of swine flu
after being exposed how many days do you wait until you know you are safe
In your case, I would ask you to consult your doctor first. Do not jump into conclusions. Don’t self medicate
The protective hair that is present around the air sac gets populated with phlegm and the bronchi become red and suffer from inflammation. The infection of the air sac in general is termed as broncitis.
The symptoms are alike. Just that. But in your case, your medical practitioner would be your best guide for he can see the subtle differences between the two with ease.
Second hand smoke has every possibility of causing bronchitis. But the best thing is get yourself tested and your doctor can easily tell you what is the problem based on the test that he takes. That is better and it is advisable to go as per what he says
Bronchitis can start as viral and then turn bacterial.
I didn’t know bronchitis was contagious!
Just wait for a period of 2 weeks. Opt to see a doctor immediately. Then take medications and see for 2 weeks. Even if that does not go, proactively talk with your doctor and do the needful
Can you pass bronchitis through a kiss?
Antibiotics will not help you with this if it is viral… If it turns bacterial,then they will help,but until then, they are useless
People are still smoking cigarettes -and today you can still enjoy in nicotine but without any other side crap fume-(i’m reffereing electronic cigarettes) sure there are hypnosis and other methods to quit smoke but if you don’t want to quit completely nicotine and stay a bit healthier i think that this is the way!
(Btw-Great blog!)
I was just diagnosed with bronchitis, however I am concerned after reading the symptoms. I did not have any cold or allergies. My symptoms started with a fever that spiked up to 103. Coughing didn’t develop until 2 days later. She said it’s not pneumonia or the flu, and I may have bronchitis now, but I don’t think that’s what started it (I’m still suffering from spiking fevers after 4 days).
what is bronchitis and how is it treated?
what antibiotic is used to treat bronchitis?
search: bronchitis in children
what is viral bronchitis?
what is good for bronchitis?
What is bronchitis and how to avoid it.
What is the scientific name for broncitis?
Bronchitis is just the inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. It can be acute or chronic. Just have a look at this url- http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/acute-bronchitis-treatment-overview for the treatment options available for acute bronchitis. In case of chronic bronchitis, it is completely not curable but manageable. Just quit smoking. That’s the best measure that you can opt for,
Antibiotics are of no avail. Take rest. Have healthy food. Use a humidifier. Avoid irritants. Increase fluid intake. Avoid alcohol and caffeine intake. Inhale beta2 – agonistsa and take OTC drugs when necessary
search: signs of bronchitis
Viral bronchitis is the infection of the airways caused by the viruses’ infection. This is less severe when compared to bacterial bronchitis. This manifests in the form of headaches, difficulty in breathing and cough.
fluid intake, avoidance of alcohol or caffeine intake, OTC drugs to treat fever and cough, a humidifier are all good for bronchitis. Take enough rest and get rid of it soon
Refer to this link http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-prevent-bronchitis.html. The major ways to keep away from it is to quit smoking. Avoid direct contact with infected persons. Get yourself vaccinated on time to stay away from it
laryngitis is the scientific name for bronchitus. It is contagious ane hence you need to take sufficient care to stay away from it. Acute and chronic are the 2 common types of the disease
Is it dangorous for little kids from the age 4 to 13? and should i see a doctor if it last for 3 weeks? when your sick does it count too?
I thought I had the H1N1 as well. My doctor diagsnosed me with bronchitis. He said the only difference is the fever. With bronchitis your body warms. With H1N1 you get chills hence the fever… I am no doctor but this what I was told earliar today.
Bronchitis is contagious definitely. So its better to be isolated till the infection subsides. Even the utensils used by the patient can be transmitters of the infection. Better be safe than being sorry after the contraction
My Dr said I have Viral Bronchitis but he said it isnt in my lungs and said antibiotics wouldnt help ? I thought antibiotics were the normal treatment for Bronchitis ?
It is better that you discuss the symptoms with your medical practitioner. Especially if it lasts for more than 3 weeks it is vital that you proactively discuss that with him. 4-13 years is definitely young and getting treated on time is important
i would like to say i started takin semanax tablets of the net for creating more sperm and i started of with a cough with has turned very nasty into i pressume broncitis i have been on steriods an other medication since , i still have a lot of phelm in my lungs an there seems to be no end to it can anybody advise me as i have not stooped smoking either will i be able to get rid of this problem as i stay up most of my nights due to coughing .
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Deadly contagious? Are you a doctor? Yeah, my doctor would say you’re extremely exaggerating and/or misinformed. Its whatever caused the brochitis, a cold, flu, that is contagious, the the inflammation of the bronchi (which is what brochitis is).
Hey doc… Are you really a doc? This isn’t accurate. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi. Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx. Different body part. 🙂
That is a good question because I had a cough for 2 weeks, it went a way for 3 days and came back strong now. Went to doctor and they told me that I have bronchitis. Was I contagious now or then?
I am on antibiotics and a steroid for relieving the inflammation-Am I still contageous.
The tile man working in our house (under construction) came down w/infectious bronchitis Friday and is back working in our house today. I’m 72 and husband is 81. I’m afraid to go back into the house! What precautions can we take? How long will the germs he’s left around be infectious to either of us … both germs on surfaces and airborne germs? Thanks.
I have been having bouts of bronchitis from 2 to 5 times per year for the past approx 20 years.
I can say without a doubt that, in my case, the bronchitis has NEVER gone away without antibiotics. And believe me, I have tried to tough it out. The longest I’ve gone was four weeks (during which time I had also passed out on one ocassion from a coughing fit – bruised my body/face and big lump on my head in the process). If a doctor (walk-in clinic) tries to tell me that antibiotics won’t help – I argue.
I am so grateful that I found this site. I will bookmark this. I am an asthmatic person. I appreciate everything that’s in here.Thank you so much. I have one question though – why is it that I need to avoid taking too much of cough syrup when I have bronchitis?
I recently stopped smokeing, then about 2 days later i got sick it started off as cold chills that lasted about 2 days. Then the chills stopped and turned into coughing for two weeks straight and continueing and now im starting to get the cold chills everytime i move including coughing contintaly..I can also taste mucus/flem in my throat, also im freezing. What could this be?
this is what the cochrane review says..
‘The benefit of antibiotics in treating acute bronchitis was quite small.’
jesus, the people who made this site are not well.
washing legs to prevent bronchitis?
what planet are you on?!!!
Usually I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this blog really forced me to do so! Thanks, really nice post