Signs and symptoms you may experience when suffering from bronchitis include:
- Trouble breathing: Numerous breathing problems can occur as a result of congestion in the chest (where the chest feels clogged up or heavy), a persistent cough with white, yellowish or greenish mucus, shortness of breath, or a wheezing sound when taking a breath.
- Body aches associated with general cold and flu symptoms.
- Fever
- Feeling fatigued
- A runny or congested nose
- Sore throat
- A cough can persist even after other flu-like symptoms begin to clear up. A cough can last for several more weeks while the bronchial tubes heal and the swelling subsides.
It is a good idea to seek assistance from your doctor should the cough persist for longer as this could potentially be as a result of something else not functioning as it should in the body.
Bronchitis risk factors
You may be more easily susceptible to bronchitis if:
- You have a weak immune system. Babies and young children, as well as older adults and those who experience other ongoing diseases or conditions are more prone to developing bronchitis.
- You already have a cold or the flu.
- You smoke or live with a smoker.
- You experience frequent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause stomach acid to leak back up into the bronchial tubes.
- You work with certain substances on the job such as chemical fumes or dust that can trouble your lungs.
How is bronchitis spread?
As acute bronchitis is a viral health problem, it can develop in the same way as a cold or flu virus. Once a virus is airborne or is present on surfaces it is easy to contract. A virus is easily spread by breathing it in if in close range to a person who is ill and contagious, or passing it from your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes.