How Long is Bronchitis Contagious

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease marked by inflammation of the bronchi or the branches of the trachea, due to virus or bacteria. The signs and symptoms of bronchitis are similar to that of common cold. Bronchitis is a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and can affect people of any age group. Let us know more on bronchitis.

What is Bronchitis?
As the inner membranes of bronchi are infected or inflamed, there is an excess secretion of mucus, which can even lead to clogging of the passages. Bronchitis can be of two types; acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused due to virus and bacteria. 90% of the acute bronchitis cases are caused due to viral infection. The influenza virus, rhinovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are the viruses causing bronchitis. Whereas, bacterial bronchitis is caused due to Pneumococcus bacteria, Mycoplasma bacteria, etc.

On the other hand, chronic bronchitis can develop following a prolonged inflammation or infection to the airways or the bronchi. Secondly, factors like smoking, constant exposure to industrial pollutants, and cold air can lead to chronic bronchitis. One should remember that secondhand smoking (also known as passive smoking) is also one of the major causes of chronic bronchitis.

What are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?
The symptoms of bronchitis are similar to those of common cold. But, the most important and distinguishing sign of bronchitis is expectorating cough that produces excess thick, yellowish phlegm. The other bronchitis symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Slight Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Headache
• Cough followed by chest pain
• Chills
• Fatigue

Is Bronchitis Contagious?
We often wonder whether bronchitis is contagious or not? If yes, for how long? The answer to this query can be yes and no! Only the type of bronchitis caused due to viral or bacterial infection is contagious, i.e., only acute bronchitis is contagious, and not the chronic one. Therefore, it is essential to find out the cause of bronchitis to determine whether it is contagious or not. Acute bronchitis is an airborne disease, and hence, can spread if a normal person comes in contact with the body fluids of the infected person. On the contrary, chronic bronchitis is caused mainly due to smoking, and hence is not contagious.

How Long is Bronchitis Contagious?
There is no precise information available about the duration of the bronchitis contagion. It is considered that bronchitis is contagious as long as symptoms are observed. It is essential to take immediate treatment if you observe any symptoms of bronchitis. Now, you may wonder, is bronchitis contagious after taking antibiotics? Well, the answer is yes. Although the mucus clears and the symptoms lessen on taking antibiotics, bronchitis can be contagious until all the symptoms subside completely. However, as maximum cases of bronchitis are caused due to viral infection, antibiotic treatment is not always used.

Is Bronchitis Contagious in Children?
Children and old people are found to be more susceptible to acute bronchitis, than people belonging to other age groups. You should also remember that bronchitis in children is very common, and hence, parents should be very careful and consult the doctor if any symptoms are observed.

How is Bronchitis Treated?
If you observe any of the aforementioned symptoms frequently, you should immediately see the doctor. A chest X-ray is useful in diagnosing bronchitis in people. The treatment differs according to the cause of the disease. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics, as taking antibiotics is the most effective way of treating bacterial bronchitis. Similarly, taking complete rest, drinking lot of fluids, and using vaporizer also helps in treating viral bronchitis quickly. On the other hand, methods like using Bronchodilators, medication, steroids, therapies, etc. help in chronic bronchitis treatment.

How is Bronchitis Prevented?
As we have just seen that bronchitis is contagious, it is better to follow preventive measures to avoid it. Vaccination is the best method of preventing bronchitis. In order to prevent chronic bronchitis, one should stay away from people suffering from bronchitis. It is also recommended to avoid sharing personal articles of daily use like towels, toothbrush, etc.; food or clothes with people suffering from this disease. On the other hand, stop smoking and exposure to industrial irritants in order to avoid chronic bronchitis.

I hope this article has answered all your queries about bronchitis. Lastly, remember the old saying, prevention is better than cure! Therefore, you should follow all the precautionary measures and prevent bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. Take care!