Causes

• Viruses that cause colds
• Bacteria
• Tobacco/ cigarette smoke
• Stomach acids that persistently back up into food pipe

Symptoms

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Feeling of constriction or burning in the chest
• Wheezing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fever with chills
• Malaise

Seek medical advice when

• Severe cough interfering with sleep
• Repeated attacks of bronchitis
• Fever beyond 4 to 5 days
• Associated heart or lung problem
• Coughing up blood or rust colored sputum

Diagnosis

• Complete blood count
• Chest X-ray
• Lung function test - spirometry (FEV, FEV/VC, PEFR)

Complications

• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema

Prevention

• Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Avoid exposure to irritants and air pollutants
• Use face masks around other people who are coughing and sneezing

Self care at home

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce fever and muscle aches
• Avoid exposure to irritants such as tobacco smoke
• Cool mist vaporizer/humidifier to reduce bronchial irritation
• Steam inhalation

Treatment

• Antibiotics will not cure viral illness
• Oxygen by mask 4-5 lts
• Nebulization with bronchodilators (salbutamol and ipratropium bromide)
• Medications to bring out cough/expectorants- Ambroxyl, Guaiphenasin, carbo- cysteine
• Bronchodilators to open the airways and to reduce the airway resistance- Deriphylline, Aminophylline, Salbutamol
• Antibiotics in bacterial infection
• Medications to suppress dry irritating allergic cough- Dexmethorphan