Viral & Bacterial Bronchitis - The Differences

Environmental factors can cause illness, just as much as viruses and bacteria can. When you become ill, quality of life is affected. Relationships with family and friends can suffer. A healthy lifestyle may help you to prevent illnesses. Get into a regular routine of hygiene and immunizations and exercise and diet, and this will go a long way towards staying as healthy as you can be. Do some research into this and formulate you plan for good health. If you do show some signs of possible bronchitis, see your doctor as soon as you can.

Bronchial tube inflammation may be caused by viral or bacterial infections, or allergens. There are differences between viral and bacterial infections. A professional will be able to advise you, if you have one of these two illnesses. The most common cause of bronchitis is viral. Your symptoms may include wheezing, burning pain, difficulty in breathing, headache and other symptoms. This type of bronchitis is not that serious and an disappear without taking any meds. Home remedies may be enough. Virus caused bronchitis may give you a mild fever, and a cough with little or no mucous.

With bacterial bronchitis, it can get serious if you also have asthma, cystic fibrosis or COPD. You may have a high fever and discoloured mucous. After a visit to your doctor you'll know what kind you have and how to treat it. You may need a chest x-ray if your symptoms are fairly severe. Treatment is different with the two forms of bronchitis. If you have the viral kind, you can drink more liquids. Rest, and if you have muscle pain, take acetaminophen. Over the counter medications may help, too. A steamy shower will open up your airways and help you to cough up mucous.

An antibiotic may be prescribed by your doctor if you have the bacterial form of bronchitis. You may experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Certain bacteria are resistant to drugs. The FDA recently approved a new drug, gemiflaoxacin mesylate which is a new drug and could help outwit this bacteria. Viral bronchitis is not affected by antibiotics. Never use a prescribed medication without consulting a doctor first. Make expectoration of mucous as easy as you can by getting plenty of rest. Get immunizations and practice good hygiene. This will help guard you against infections. Avoid cigarettes, smoke, fumes and other triggers. Your lungs will be able to filter out normal amounts of these triggers. Be as healthy as you can.