What happens if bronchitis doesnt go away




















It will help your bronchial tubes heal faster. Some people who have acute bronchitis need inhaled medicine. You might need this if you are wheezing. It can help open your bronchial tubes and clear out mucus.

You usually take it with an inhaler. An inhaler sprays medicine right into your bronchial tubes. Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you. If your doctor thinks bacteria have caused your acute bronchitis, he or she may give you antibiotics. Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. You should call your doctor if:. The risk of developing complications from acute bronchitis, such as pneumonia, is greater in some people.

These include:. American Lung Association: Acute Bronchitis. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that…. Over-the-counter cough suppressants can be used to treat some coughs that are interfering with your sleep or activities, but….

Visit The Symptom Checker. Food Poisoning. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Bursitis of the Hip. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. High Blood Pressure. Home Diseases and Conditions Acute Bronchitis. Table of Contents. Chronic Bronchitis. Antibiotics don't help a night cough or a cough with mucus.

And they don't improve your quality of life. The antibiotic may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it. Side effects from antibiotics include: Diarrhea. Nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting. Mouth sores. Skin rash. Increased sensitivity to sun. Vaginal yeast infection. Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics You try home treatment to relieve your cough, such as drinking fluids and using cough drops.

You take over-the-counter medicines to relieve fever and body aches. You may reduce your cough with home treatment. You avoid the cost and side effects of antibiotics. You avoid promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If you have acute bronchitis but no other health problems, choosing not to take antibiotics poses no risk. If you have acute bronchitis and other health problems such as COPD, asthma, or heart failure, your risk of getting pneumonia is higher if you don't take antibiotics.

Personal stories about taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you? Reasons to take antibiotics Reasons not to take antibiotics.

I just have acute bronchitis. I want to try home treatment to relieve my cough. I'm not worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to deal with the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't really need them. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:.

Where are you leaning now? Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics. What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts.

Yes Sorry, that's not right. Antibiotics kill bacteria or slow or stop their growth. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus and not by bacteria, antibiotics don't work very well to treat it. No You're right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, antibiotics aren't the best treatment for it.

Yes You're right. Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks. No Sorry, that's not right. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that's needed. Antibiotics may help people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma. Antibiotics may be useful in treating people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma.

Taking antibiotics too often or when you don't really need them can be harmful. The medicine may not work the next time when you really do need it. Decide what's next. Yes No. For example, you may have a lingering cough that lasts for a month or sometimes longer. This is true for both children and adults. Older adults may experience more severe symptoms over a longer duration of time.

These symptoms can include rapid breathing and confused thinking. Elderly individuals may also be at a higher risk for complications, such as pneumonia.

Chronic bronchitis is more common in adults than in children. People with chronic bronchitis can also experience bouts of acute bronchitis. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include long-term irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and a chronic, phlegmy cough that lasts for at least three months.

This is followed by episodic bouts of bronchitis, which can come and go for two years or longer. Acute bronchitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if they suspect you have bacterial bronchitis. Antibiotics are not helpful for bronchitis caused by viruses. Chronic bronchitis is often caused by cigarette smoking. It can also be caused by exposure to environmental toxins, such as air pollution or secondhand smoke.

Around 90 percent of all cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses, such as the cold or flu, which are contagious. These illnesses have an incubation period of between two to six days. People typically start to become contagious in the hours preceding the initial onset of symptoms and remain contagious until the symptoms go away. He or she will ask you questions about your symptoms, such as: Are you coughing up mucus?

Are you having trouble breathing? Does your chest feel tight? How long have you had these symptoms? Do you smoke cigarettes? How many cigarettes do you smoke each day? How many years have you been smoking? Have you been breathing in other things that can irritate your lungs? Can chronic bronchitis be prevented or avoided? Chronic bronchitis treatment Your doctor may prescribe a medicine called a bronchodilator to treat your chronic bronchitis. Will antibiotics help chronic bronchitis?

What about oxygen therapy? Living with chronic bronchitis Exercising regularly can strengthen the muscles that help you breathe.

What health risks are associated with chronic bronchitis? What medicines will help relieve my symptoms? What lifestyle changes should I make at home to help relieve my symptoms? Is it safe for me to exercise? What kind of exercise should I do? What vaccines do I need? Last Updated: September 17, This article was contributed by: familydoctor. Tags: adult , airway hyperreactivity , bronchitis , chronic , COPD , cough , elderly , older adults , Pulmonary function testing , Pulmonary Medicine , senior , shortness of breath , trouble breathing.

Related Articles. COPD is a progressive disease that makes it hard for you to breathe. The two main types of COPD…. A cough is chronic when it lasts for 8 weeks or more.



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