| Acute bronchitis is a very common respiratory disease | | | | Acute bronchitis can also be the consequence of |
| that generates symptoms such as mucus-producing | | | | bacterial infections. Common bacterial agents |
| cough, chest discomfort and pain, difficult and shallow | | | | responsible for causing acute bronchitis are: |
| breathing, wheezing and fever. One of the most | | | | Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, |
| commonly diagnosed respiratory diseases in the United | | | | Bordatella pertussis, Bordatella parapertussis and |
| States, acute bronchitis is responsible for causing an | | | | Branhamella catarrhalis. In some cases, the disease |
| estimated 2.5 million new cases of breathing | | | | can also be triggered by mycoplasmas, infectious |
| insufficiency each year. Although it has the highest | | | | organisms that share the characteristics of both |
| incidence in people with ages over 50, acute bronchitis | | | | viruses and bacteria. When acute bronchitis is caused |
| can be seen in young adults and children as well. | | | | by infection with mycoplasmas, the disease is usually |
| Acute bronchitis refers to inflammation of the bronchial | | | | severe, has a rapid onset and generates very |
| mucosal membranes, triggered by various external | | | | pronounced symptoms. Some forms of mycoplasma |
| irritant or infectious agents. Due to prolonged exposure | | | | bronchitis can even be life-threatening. Common |
| to irritants, pollutants or due to infection with viruses or | | | | atypical bacterial agents (mycoplasmas) responsible |
| bacteria, the bronchial region becomes inflamed, | | | | for causing acute bronchitis are: Mycoplasma |
| resulting in overproduction and expectoration of mucus. | | | | pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella. |
| Mucus is a substance produced by the soft tissues | | | | Sometimes, acute bronchitis can also be caused by |
| and membranes involved in breathing. It has a very | | | | infection with fungal organisms such as Candida |
| important role in protecting the respiratory tract against | | | | albicans, Candida tropicalis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, |
| irritants and infectious organisms. However, in the case | | | | Histoplasma capsulatum and Coccidioides immitis. |
| of acute bronchitis, overproduction of mucus is an | | | | When acute bronchitis is the result of bronchial |
| inflammatory reaction of the respiratory tract due to | | | | infection with fungal elements, the disease is generally |
| irritation of the bronchia. An excessive production of | | | | less serious and generates mild to moderate |
| mucus leads to obstruction of the airways, causing | | | | symptoms. |
| wheezing and shallow, accelerated, difficult breathing. | | | | Non-infectious factors that can lead to the occurrence |
| There is a wide range of factors that can lead to the | | | | of acute bronchitis are: dust, pollen, chemicals, pollutants, |
| occurrence of acute bronchitis. The most common | | | | cigarette smoke, substances with strong, irritant odor |
| cause of acute bronchitis is infection with viruses. The | | | | (alcohol, paints, benzene). When acute bronchitis is |
| viral organisms responsible for triggering the | | | | solely the result of exposure to non-infectious irritant |
| manifestations of acute bronchitis are: adenovirus, | | | | agents, the disease is usually less severe and |
| influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus, | | | | generates mild to moderate symptoms. In this case, |
| coxsackievirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus and respiratory | | | | the medical treatment is focused towards alleviating |
| syncytial virus. Commonly developed by children, viral | | | | the clinical manifestations of the disease. Patients are |
| forms of acute bronchitis are usually less serious and | | | | usually prescribed bronchodilators or cough |
| generate milder symptoms (mild to moderate fever, | | | | suppressants for decongestion of the airways and |
| non-severe cough and less pronounced obstruction of | | | | rapid symptomatic relief. |
| the airways). | | | | |