Bronchitis causes irritation and inflammation in the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis can be very contagious. It can be chronic or acute. Depending on the type of contagious bronchitis, the symptoms last for a longer or shorter time. Find out in this article how to get relief from contagious bronchitis so you can get better as soon as possible.
Is bronchitis contagious?
The duration of symptoms of acute bronchitis is usually between 10 and 14 days. But in some cases, you may have symptoms of contagious bronchitis for three weeks. The cause? You may be affected by another illness such as cold or the grippe. Allergies may also be responsible for your condition.
Chronic bronchitis is a long-lasting form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The symptoms of chronic bronchitis last at least three months. After recovery from contagious bronchitis, episodes of bronchitis may come and go for two years or more.
Acute contagious bronchitis, what are the symptoms?
Acute contagious bronchitis can occur in people of any age, although it is not common in infants. Acute bronchitis usually lasts 10 to 14 days, but some symptoms may last longer. For example, you may have a persistent cough for a month or sometimes longer. This is true for both children and adults.
Older people may have more severe signs over a longer period of time of contagious bronchitis. These symptoms may include rapid breathing and confused thinking. Older people may also have a higher risk of complications, such as pneumonia.
Chronic bronchitis is more common in adults than in children. People with chronic bronchitis may also experience episodes of acute contagious bronchitis.
The symptoms of chronic contagious bronchitis include:
Long-term irritation.
Inflammation of the bronchi.
A chronic cough that lasts at least three months.
Episodic bronchitis that can come and go for two years or more.
What causes acute contagious bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis can result from a viral or bacterial infection. It is most often caused by viruses, such as the flu virus. It is also possible to have bacterial and viral bronchitis at the same time.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if he or she suspects contagious bacterial bronchitis. These medications can reduce the time it takes to become contagious, but not the duration of bronchitis symptoms such as coughing. Antibiotics are not helpful for contagious bronchitis caused by viruses.
Chronic bronchitis is often caused by smoking. It can also be caused by exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution or second-hand smoke.
Contagious Bronchitis: For how long?
Around 90% of cases of acute contagious bronchitis are caused by viruses such as the common cold or flu, which are contagious. These contagious diseases have an incubation period of two to six days. Generally, people become contagious within hours ofdeveloping symptoms. And they remain so until the symptoms disappear.
The persistent dry cough that often follows bronchitis is caused by persistent irritation of the bronchial tubes, not by an active infection. This means that you are unlikely to be contagious during this time.
Acute bronchitis caused by bacterial infections is less contagious for healthy people. If you take antibiotics to treat acute bacterial bronchitis, you will be less contagious, if at all, within 24 to 48 hours.
Chronic bronchitis is not usually contagious. Because you can have chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis at the same time, you can pass on acute bronchitis to someone else if you have both problems.
Contagious bronchitis: Is it possible to cure it naturally?
There are several remedies that can help reduce the symptoms of contagious bronchitis. Here are some of them:
Talk to your doctor about the type of cough medicine you should use, if any. Some medicines suppress coughing and may make it harder to get rid of mucus. This can make it easier for you to sleep. Other cough medicines are expectorants. These can be beneficial in helping you expel mucus but can make it harder to sleep.
Some supplements to plant base such as ginger or garlic can relieve bronchial airway irritation and promote healing.
Do not smoke cigarettes and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke and other airborne irritants.
- Get enough sleep and take time to slow down so your body can recover energy.
Hydrate yourself with water, milk and tea and chicken soup.
Use a humidifier or steam to dissipate the mucus.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever and relieve discomfort.
Contagious and acute bronchitis, when to seek help?
Acute bronchitis usually goes away on its own, but see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms
Frequent episodes of acute bronchitis as this may indicate the onset of chronic bronchitis.
Wheezing or a cough that does not go away within three to four weeks.
Breathlessness.
A cough accompanied by blood or bloody mucus.
Symptoms that don't get better or worse.
Some cases of acute bronchitis are caused by the flu virus. In this case, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication if the flu virus is suspected to be the cause.
Contagious bronchitis can lead to pneumonia and other complications. So it's important to stay on top of your health care and see a doctor, if necessary.
Sources:
Acute bronchitis. (n.d.).
lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/acute-bronchitis/
Acute bronchitis in children
stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=acute-bronchitis-in-children-90-P02930