Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis symptoms depend on the type of bronchitis. This respiratory disease can be acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis is often caused by tobacco smoke or other harmful substances coming from the air. If you live or work in polluted areas, you can develop chronic bronchitis.

Bronchitis symptoms are similar for all types of bronchitis. However, acute bronchitis symptoms can be very severe and can cause further bronchitis complications.

Bronchitis Symptoms in Adults

Bronchitis symptoms in adults who smoke can sometimes be mistaken for other symptoms. People who smoke a lot tend to believe that their cough comes from cigarettes.

In many cases, this stubborn cough is one of the first signs of bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is manifested through cough and smokers usually ignore it, believing it is caused by smoke.

Acute bronchitis symptoms are similar to flu symptoms. Cough is one of the first symptoms. Mild fever and increased body temperature can also occur.

General weakness and headaches are common symptoms of acute bronchitis. Short breath and other breathing difficulties can occur, so as wheezing.

It is important to say that some of the symptoms can go away after two or three weeks (with proper treatment), but your cough can continue even after this period and last for another week. If you live with your family, try to keep away from close physical contacts and maintain your hygiene in order to protect other people from infection.

Bronchitis Symptoms in Children

Bronchitis symptoms in children are basically the same as in adults. However, sometimes it can be difficult to tell if it is bronchitis or just a bad cold. If your child is a toddler or an older kid, he can tell you if something is bothering him. Then you can take him to your doctor and get a proper therapy. However, babies can experience bronchitis symptoms with no possibility to tell you that something is wrong, so you have to pay your attention to your baby’s behavior.

If your baby keeps coughing and you hear wheezing, this can mean that your baby has developed bronchitis.

Fever or increased body temperature can also occur and your baby will be generally weak. Breathing difficulties can also occur and if you listen to your baby’s breathing, you will be able to hear wheezing. Mucus production is also one of the bronchitis symptoms in children. If you detect any of those symptoms, take your baby to your doctor. He will prescribe a proper therapy for your child.

Chronic Bronchitis Symptoms

Chronic bronchitis symptoms are common in people who smoke a lot. People who work with chemicals or live in polluted areas can also suffer from this respiratory disease.

Chronic bronchitis is often manifested through bad and stubborn cough, especially in the morning. Smokers tend to believe that this cough comes from cigarettes, so they can be unaware that they have chronic bronchitis. If this cough persists and keeps bothering you, try to cut down cigarettes or quit smoking. If you do not treat chronic bronchitis, your bronchial tubes can get scarred and lungs can get damaged. Second hand smoke can also contribute to chronic bronchitis developing. Try to avoid second hand smoke as much as you can.

Acute Bronchitis Symptoms

Acute bronchitis is manifested through several symptoms. This is the case with both bacterial and viral bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is caused by a virus or bacteria, but the symptoms are pretty much the same for both types of bronchitis.

Dry cough is one of the first symptoms. In the beginning, your cough can be dry, but later on it can be accompanied by mucus production. Mucus can be yellow, clear or even green.

Fever, increased body temperature and other flu-like symptoms are also common in people who develop acute bronchitis. You may also feel generally weak.

Breathing difficulties, including short breath can also start bothering you. These symptoms will probably last more than two weeks. Do not let this happen. Visit your doctor and start your treatment in time.

People often mistake acute bronchitis for flu or cold, so it is important to visit your doctor if you have any of those symptoms. Keep in mind that acute bronchitis can lead to further complications if left untreated.