If you're experiencing an infection or inflammation of the upper chest, you might be suffering from acute bronchitis. If you have the following symptoms or have been diagnosed with acute bronchitis, there are ways to treat it.
Although bronchitis is generally caused by the same family of viruses that also cause colds and flu, it is not a winter-specific condition. Some bacterial infections remain active through spring to summers, exposure to which may cause bronchitis as well. Also, long-term exposure to substances such as dust and fumes, vapors, air pollution, and tobacco smoke that irritate the lungs can also cause bronchitis during summers.
There are several bronchitis symptoms you should watch for, including:
1. Painful cough
2. Wheezing
3. Fever
4. More labored breathing
5. Dry or productive (“phlegmy”) cough
6. Chest pain with coughing
7. Cold-like symptoms (runny nose, aches, tiredness)
8. Noisy breathing
Unfortunately, some cold or flu illnesses may eventually develop into bronchitis and later on into pneumonia and even COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), if not checked.
There is some overlap between bronchitic symptoms, and those of pneumonia -- a more serious infection of the lungs. An urgent care center can help you properly differentiate between the two, as well as to quickly initiate the proper treatment.
Not every a phlegmy cough needs antibiotics, and not all chest infections turn out to be pneumonia. And while only the more serious infections need antibiotics, it can be hard to separate the harmless from the serious without an evaluation.
At our urgent care in Fountain Valley, Irvine, and Costa Mesa, we recommend seeking medical attention for these symptoms relatively early, especially if you have a history of chest infections that worsen rapidly, or are having a fever with any trouble breathing or chest pain.
Acute bronchitis often thrives three to four days after a cold or the flu. It may kick-start with a dry cough, then after a few days, the coughing spells may bring up mucus. Most people get over an acute bout of bronchitis in two to three weeks, although the cough can sometimes hang on for four weeks or more.
Acute bronchitis is common and is usually caused by a virus. Often a person gets acute bronchitis a few days after having an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu. Infection with a germ (a bacterial infection) is a less common cause. Sometimes acute bronchitis is caused by bacteria too. Also, as stated above in this blog, dust, fumes, air pollution, and tobacco smoke can also cause bronchitis by damaging your lungs, if exposed to them for a longer-term.
In many instances a person gets acute bronchitis a few days after having an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu. Sometimes acute bronchitis is caused by bacteria. This can also be caused by breathing in things that irritate the bronchial tubes, such as smoke.
Don't take bronchitis symptoms lightly, and visit an urgent care center nearby to initiate a proper treatment.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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