Once the cold weather sets in,it seems like everyone is coughing.Much of this persistent coughing is caused by bronchitis,which is usually a viral infection of the bronchial tubes that bring air to the lungs.It is rarely a bacterial infection and could even lead to pneumonia.
In this infection,the bronchial tubes are inflamed and filled with mucus,which limits the amount of air reaching your lungs-hence the wheezing.You will want to spit the mucus out,and this sputum may have a green or yellow colour.You may also feel run down and run a low temperature.
Normally,the infection will only last a few weeks and resolve itself.That is acute bronchitis.If it lasts more than three weeks,however,or you see blood in your sputum or it is dark,or have severe breathing difficulty,you should definitely see your doctor.It may be chronic bronchitis and require a chest x-ray and possibly other tests to ascertain exactly what is going on.
There is no direct treatment for viral bronchitis.Symptoms may be alleviated with over the counter medication;but antibiotics may be prescribed to knock down the bacterial kind.
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