Acute Bronchitis Flashcards
What is acute bronchitis?
Inflammation of trachea and bronchi caused by spread of URTI or exposure to inhaled irritants
What is the most common cause of acute bronchitis?
viral infection
Give two bacterial agents that commonly cause post-acute bronchitis infection?
1) Strep. pneumoniae
2) H. influenzae
True or false: viral bronchitis is contagious
True
Give 6 symptoms associated with acute bronchitis:
1) irritating, non-productive cough which later becomes productive with yellow/green sputum
2) discomfort behind the sternum
3) chest tightness
4) wheezing
5) shortness of breath
6) mild fever
What findings may be found upon auscultation with acute bronchitis?
1) occasional wheeze
How long does acute bronchitis last?
1-3 weeks
Give 4 warning signs in acute bronchitis:
1) sharp stabbing pain when coughing or breathing
2) coughing up blood
3) ‘rusty’ coloured sputum
4) being very short of breath
What anatomical structure is affected in acute bronchitis?
bronchi (large airways)
How is acute bronchitis diagnosed? (2)
1) Clinical diagnosis
2) CXR to rule out pneumonia if suspected
How is acute bronchitis treated?
1) pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin
2) rest and fluids
3) NO antibiotics
True or false: antibiotics are routinely used to treat acute bronchitis
false
Give some cases where antibiotics would be used to treat acute bronchitis:
1) patient has cystic fibrosis
2) patient has an immunodeficiency
3) patient has a pre-existing co-morbidities
4) Are systemically very unwell
5) have a CRP of 20-100mg/L (offer delayed prescription) or a CRP >100mg/L (offer antibiotics immediately)
What percent of patients will have a cough beyond 3 weeks?
25%
If antibiotics are indicated what antibiotic is typically recommended?
the BNF currently recommends doxycycline first-line
doxycycline cannot be used in children or pregnant women
alternatives include amoxicillin
Name the differences between acute brochitis and pneumonia?
- History: Sputum, wheeze, breathlessness may be absent in acute bronchitis whereas at least one tends to be present in pneumonia.
2.Examination: No other focal chest signs (dullness to percussion, crepitations, bronchial breathing) in acute bronchitis other than wheeze. Moreover, systemic features (malaise, myalgia, and fever) may be absent in acute bronchitis, whereas they tend to be present in pneumonia.
