Acute bronchitis – an inflammation of the bronchial tubes is generally caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Irritants like tobacco smoke, air pollution, or chemicals can also inflame bronchial tubes causing acute bronchitis.
It is characterized by cough, fever, and pain. If you are already suffering from other serious conditions like COPD, Asthma, and even sinusitis or you have bacterial bronchitis then more aggressive treatment is required. Otherwise, a healthy individual can get rid of acute bronchitis with home remedies.
Acute bronchitis is more prevalent in winter than on other days of the year. It is usually caused by a virus. The same virus group that causes upper respiratory conditions such as cold, sinusitis, or the flu, also causes acute bronchitis.
Viruses such as Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Rhinovirus, or RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are some of the most common viruses that cause upper respiratory illnesses.
Sometimes these upper respiratory infections can spread to the lungs and become acute bronchitis.
The larynx divides the upper and lower airways. The cold which is an upper respiratory condition may or may not spread into lower airways but both cold and bronchitis may coexist as they may be caused by the same virus.
Is acute bronchitis contagious?
The answer is yes and no. Let us understand how acute bronchitis spreads. A person suffering from acute bronchitis can, cough, sneeze, or talk to emit liquid droplets containing virus particles or bacteria in the atmosphere. Another healthy person with weaker immunity may catch it.
So if you are healthy and feeling strong, then you don’t have to worry. You won’t catch acute bronchitis from others. But you should still take precautions.
Treatment of acute bronchitis is comparatively much easier than treatment of chronic bronchitis. If you just follow three basic routines after catching the viral infection, you can easily get rid of your acute bronchitis with ease and fast. All three activities will increase the immunity of your body in different ways.
1. Hydration
First thing is to ensure that you are fully hydrated. Drink water regularly every hour. One glass of water (200-250ml) at a time is enough.
This appears easy but in actual practice, you may find it difficult to remember to drink water as you don’t feel thirsty. Not feeling thirsty doesn’t mean you are fully hydrated. So set up an alarm system on your mobile phone to alert you every hour.
8-10 glasses during the daytime will make you fully hydrated. A fully hydrated body has better immunity.
2. Rest
The second is to take enough rest. The infection makes you tired but your body still can function. We tend to continue our daily routine because the body is allowing us to do it. This is putting extra stress on the body which can’t easily fight the infection as it is working to do other activities of our choice.
Stopping all physical activities and taking a rest will help the body to fight the infection more efficiently and effectively.
3. Avoid Irritants
Third is more common sense than any special effort. Avoid all sorts of exposures to pollution and other irritants.
All three things in coordination will help you to fight the infection and get rid of acute bronchitis fast.
Coughing is good, so don’t take medicine that suppresses the cough. Cough is the body’s natural reaction to eliminate the infection. You can use a humidifier in the room which will help create more sputum to cough out.
Usually, with the above precautions, it will take a week to 10 days to heal acute bronchitis caused by viruses In fact if you go on medication then also it almost takes the same time, but the biggest advantage is you didn’t have to take antibiotics.
Frequent use of antibiotics develops resistance to antibiotics. However, if these remedies don’t treat your acute bronchitis within two weeks then, consult your doctor. You may require medication as either the condition is more severe, acute bacterial bronchitis or you may have other complications.