The common cold is the most frequent respiratory complaint in the winter, but have you ever heard of acute bronchitis? Or is it a chest cold? Surprisingly, they are the same! In this condition, the airways leading to your lungs become inflamed and mucus-filled!

What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?

Your body is trying to get rid of the mucus that fills the airways and coughing is its way of doing so. A persistent cough is a main and most common symptom, lasting one to three weeks. As long as there is mucus or inflammation in your airway, you will cough. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, headache, fever, runny nose, and weariness.

Who is more susceptible to infection?

Viral infections are the most common cause. However, anything that irritates your airways can cause bronchitis such as bacterial infections and smoke. So, anyone can get acute bronchitis, but your risk increases if you:

• Smoke or sit with someone who smokes frequently.
• Are suffering from a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Suffer from GERD.
• Have an autoimmune disorder or another disease that causes inflammation.

What is the treatment for acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is usually mild and does not cause complications, and symptoms often disappear on their own, after which the lung returns to normal. Most cases do not need antibiotics to treat acute bronchitis. Because most infections are caused by a virus, antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

Treatment aims to treat the symptoms and includes:

• Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• Take Otosan Fortuss to treat a cough.
• Humidify the air using an air humidifier.
• Increase fluid intake
• Pain relievers and fever reducers such as Panadol.
• Quit smoking, you can consult a doctor for free to help you quit smoking.
• Avoid antihistamines because they dry out secretions and can make coughing worse.

Prevention tips

The best way to reduce your risk of developing bronchitis is to avoid infection with viruses and other causes of lung irritation by:

• Stay home if you are sick and try to avoid sitting with sick people.
• Avoid smoking and other irritants.
• Avoid asthma or allergic triggers, including pets, dust and pollen if you are a sufferer.
• Humidify the air constantly.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Follow a healthy diet.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Get influenza and pneumonia vaccinations.

Many respiratory illnesses spread over the winter, so try to follow these recommendations as much as possible to protect yourself and others you care about.