Infectious bronchitis can either be caused by bacteria or virus pathogens. This can take place when a healthy person comes into contact with a sick person. The pathogens are usually carried in the sputum. Handling the sputum or clothes of a sick person can pass the disease. One should be careful around a sick person. Bronchitis can occur after an attack of cold or flu.
In other cases, it just happens on its own. One starts experiencing a dry cough that can even wake one up at night. After a few days, the dry cough turns into a productive one. Other symptoms include fever, headaches and fatigue. Sometimes wheezing and shortness of breathe can be, experienced. This is as a result of blockage of the airways by the phlegm. These symptoms usually disappear after a few days. The cough sometimes can last for several weeks.
Infectious bronchitis can be treated using a number of methods. These methods vary according to the cause of the infection. Infectious bronchitis caused by viral pathogens usually disappear on their own after a few days. Those caused by bacterial pathogens can be treated using antibiotics. Expectorants cough syrup may also be used. This makes the harmful bacteria to be expelled out of the lungs.
Antihistamines should not be used. These cause the mucous to thicken and it is difficult to expel it out of the lungs. Anti histamines used with the expectorant cough syrup reader it powerless. If the cough lasts for more than a month, more diagnosis is needed.
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Causes of Bronchitis
