Bronchitis is an irritation of the bronchi of the lungs. It is most often caused by viruses, but either viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis. The organisms settle in the lungs, producing a nagging wet (with mucus) or dry (no mucus) cough. Bronchitis may follow a cold or flu infection, serving as the lasting effects of being sick. The cough may persist for up to three weeks after the other symptoms have subsided. Because of the constant coughing, cough medicine may be of some help. Many stores, including online pharmacies, carry expectorant cough medicine.
The reason expectorant cough medicine is used is to get rid of the organism-filled mucus settled in the lungs. Coughing it out is actually beneficial and speeds up the recovery process. It isn’t a good idea to let the mucus remain settled. Furthermore, use of antihistamine medication is discouraged, as it thickens up the mucus as a side effect. Thick mucus will be much more difficult to get rid of via coughing. Since the disease is self-limiting, there isn’t much a person can do other than ride it out.
The symptoms associated with bronchitis are shortness of breath, wheezing, and a cough that produces mucus. Other symptoms like fever or malaise may also be present. While there are bacteria that cause acute bronchitis, less than 10% of all bronchitis cases are caused by bacteria. Therefore, it’s best to assume that a virus is causing the bronchitis until it’s ruled out by a doctor. Online pharmacies carry antiviral medication that may be of some help. The disease itself, while self-limiting, may last for several weeks after first infection. Any coughing lasting longer than a month should be checked out by an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Most of this article has discussed the acute form of bronchitis, but there is a chronic form of the disease that may last up to two years. Chronic bronchitis is brought on by regular smoking and produces the classic “smoker’s cough.” For smokers, the easiest way to avoid developing bronchitis (either the chronic or acute variety) is to quit. Online pharmacies will be able to provide cough medication to aid in getting rid of the diseased mucus, but that’s about as far as it goes. Acute bronchitis, as the after effects of a cold or the flu, can result in even more missed work or school days.
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