How Contagious Is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis begins with a cough that develops into a frequent, wet cough with a lot of mucous, and may include headache, fever, wheezing, body aches and fatigue. The two kinds of bronchitis are chronic and acute. Chronic bronchitis is not contagious, but acute bronchitis may be. The important factor in determining if your bronchitis is contagious is the cause of it.
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Acute Bronchitis
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Acute bronchitis develops from a chest cold or the flu. This type may be contagious, if it is viral or bacterial.
Chronic Bronchitis
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Chronic bronchitis is caused by environmental elements, such as smoke, secondhand smoke, pollutants, chemicals and pollens. This type of bronchitis is not contagious.
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Contagious Period
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If acute bronchitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, it is contagious for the entire time that symptoms are present.
Antibiotics
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In both types of bronchitis, antibiotics will help only if the bronchitis is bacterial. However, antibiotics may be prescribed for individuals with chronic lung problems, such as asthma.
Home Treatment
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Bronchitis may be treated at home, provided it is not a bacterial infection, by resting, drinking fluids and taking aspirin or acetaminophen for headache and body aches.
When to See the Doctor
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If symptoms include a chest cold that has persisted more than two weeks, a fever above 102 degrees, breathing difficulties or wheezing, or if you are coughing up blood, a doctor should be consulted. The doctor should be informed of the frequency of the cough and given a description of the mucous produced by the cough.
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