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Chest infection or Acute Bronchitis
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Abnormal |
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- Bronchitis is an infection in the
lungs caused either by a virus or a bacterium. The infection
causes inflammation of the lung tissue. In general, viral
and atypical bacterial infections will have either a dry
cough, or a cough with white or light-yellow phlegm, while
traditional bacteria will result in a cough with dark yellow
or green phlegm. Untreated, bacterial bronchitis can turn
into pneumonia.
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- Viral -- adenovirus, Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, paraInfluenza, and others
- Atypical bacteria (e.g.,
Mycoplasma)
- Bacterial
- Fungi
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- Upper airway rhonchi (i.e.,
continuous sound produced in the throat; snorelike)
- Test may also include a chest X-Ray, Pulmonary function tests, blood count, and sputum
culture.
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- Viral
- Symptomatic treatment only
- Atypical bacteria -- Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Biaxin, Levaquin
- Bacterial -- many antibiotics work (some recommended are Ceftin, Augmentin, Levaquin)
- Drink plenty of fluids, rest, stop
smoking, and use vaporizers. These are all part of effective
therapy plans. Bronchodilators, in the form of inhalers
(aerosolized medications), may be prescribed. Steroid
inhalers may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation in
the airways.
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