Acute bronchitis is much more present in winter. It is mainly accompanied by a cold, pharyngitis, laryngitis or at least a runny nose. It takes 2 to 4 days for bronchitis to take hold in the lungs. When it comes to acute bronchitis, the main symptom is cough. First of all, it is dry and changes over the days. You will probably notice that the cough tends to intensify when you go to bed. This is also the case when you come into contact with cigarette smoke or cold air. Then, the cough becomes more and more wet, which is a good sign, because your body will start to secrete mucus, evacuate the microbes little by little, and above all free the bronchi. Wet cough can last several days, up to 10 days and sometimes even persist for several weeks. The acute phase of bronchitis lasts approximately 2 to 3 days. When bronchitis is accompanied by sinusitis, pharyngitis or laryngitis, an additional symptom is added: the throat is irritated and there is pain when swallowing. And in the event of laryngitis, you risk having a broken voice or loss of voice.
This article was updated on 04/12/2023Symptoms
- Moderate fever, acute bronchitis does not normally present with high fevers. However, if you cough with a high fever for more than 48 hours, you should no longer think of pneumonia.
- Chills
- Headache
- Body aches
- Decreased appetite
- Fatigue
- Tracheitis: inflammation of the canal between the larynx and bronchi
- Breathing difficulties (shortness of breath)
- Compression impression of the lungs
- Wheezing (because the bronchi are blocked)
What precautions should you take?
- Ventilate constantly your home/office to avoid the proliferation of microbes
- Se wash hands: when you spend the day outside, at the office, at school, on public transport or in public places, where all kinds of people may have passed and where germs rule the roost, it It is best to always wash your hands before eating.
- When you are sick, put your hand over your mouth before coughing to protect those around you.
- Stop smoking and avoid places where there is smoke and where the air is polluted
- If your nose is runny or blocked, remember to blow your nose regularly.
- Humidify the air to prevent drying out of the bronchi
Who should be monitored?
Certain types of people should be particularly monitored when they suffer from acute bronchitis:
- People weakened by asthma, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, stress chronic
- people affected by respiratory or cardiac insufficiency.
- Children and the elderly
Factors that can make acute bronchitis worse:
- Smoking or passive smoking
- Olfactory exposure to chemicals
- Fog accentuates bronchitis symptoms
What are the actions to take?
• Rest at home
• Hydrate yourself: drink a lot to help the mucus become more fluid
• Ventilate and humidify the air
• Take a syrup for dry cough, to lead to a wet cough
• Consult a doctor if you are one of the people at risk
In conclusion
Acute bronchitis is recognizable mainly by a strong cough (dry at the beginning and greasy after a few days). Of course, you will feel feverish and weak and you will also have other symptoms, but the cough will still be predominant. There are simple actions to take to prevent bronchitis from getting worse, the first being to rest and hydrate. The principle of healing is based on having to free your bronchi from mucus. See a doctor if the cough persists and you have a fever for more than two days. The most tiring phase of acute bronchitis does not exceed 3 to 4 days, but cough will be present before and after this period.
So to avoid getting sick and having to stay in bed, cover yourself well, avoid sick people and ventilate your premises.
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Bibliography
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.