National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Acute Bronchitis is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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National Institutes of Health
Acute Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.
The same viruses that cause colds and the flu often cause acute bronchitis. These viruses spread through the air when people cough, or through physical contact (for example, on unwashed hands). Being exposed to tobacco smoke, air pollution, dusts, vapors, and fumes can also cause acute bronchitis. Bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis, but not as often as viruses.
Most cases of acute bronchitis get better within several days. But your cough can last for several weeks after the infection is gone. If you think you have acute bronchitis, see your healthcare provider.
Treatments include rest, fluids, and aspirin (for adults) or acetaminophen to treat fever. A humidifier or steam can also help. You may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if you are wheezing. You probably do not need antibiotics. They don't work against viruses - the most common cause of acute bronchitis. If your healthcare provider thinks you have a bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe antibiotics.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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Start Here
- Acute Bronchitis(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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Bronchitis(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Overviews
- Acute Bronchitis(American Lung Association)
- Acute Bronchitis(Merck & Co., Inc.)
- Bronchitis (Chest Cold)(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Blood Gases Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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Chest X Ray(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Bronchitis(American Lung Association)
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Treatment
- How Is Bronchitis Treated?(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
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Specific Conditions
- Flavorings-Related Lung Disease(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Related Issues
- Humidifiers: Air Moisture Eases Skin, Breathing Symptoms(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Anatomy/Physiology
- Atlas of Human Body: Respiratory System -- Structure Detail(American Medical Association)
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How the Lungs Work(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchiolitis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchitis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchiolitis
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on hospital admissions...
- Article: The adenoviral infections in children admitted to hospital with pneumonia,...
- Article: Pathogenesis of acute respiratory illness caused by human parainfluenza viruses.
- Acute Bronchitis -- see more articles
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Organizations
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Children
- Bronchitis and Pneumonia(California Childcare Health Program) - PDF
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Teenagers
- Bronchitis(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Patient Handouts
- Bronchitis
- Also available in Spanish
- Chest x-ray
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- Postural drainage
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Languages
Acute Bronchitis - Multiple Languages
