Acute Bronchitis
Alternate Names : Inflammation of the Bronchi, Infection of the Bronchi
What can be done to prevent the infection?
A person can decrease the risk for getting acute bronchitis by:
avoiding close contact with people who have bronchitis
washing his or her hands frequently and completely through the day
stopping smoking
wearing a face mask when working with chemicals, dust, or other lung irritants
What are the long-term effects of the infection?
Acute bronchitis may take up to 8 weeks to resolve. Once
the infection is over, there are generally no long-term effects. Some persons,
especially smokers, are more likely to develop repeated bouts of acute bronchitis.
What are the risks to others?
Acute bronchitis is often catching. A person who has
symptoms of bronchitis should cover the mouth when coughing Both the ill
person and anyone who cares for him or her should also avoid
sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, and wash their hands frequently.
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