Acute bronchitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]; Nate Michalak, B.A.

Overview

Careful history taking and physical examination may lead to specific etiologic findings.^[1]^[2] Symptoms include bronchial irritation symptoms and constitutional symptoms.

History

The patient presents with cough and wheezing that may have started with or without fever.^[3]

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute bronchitis are typically related to irritation of airways. Sometimes, constitutional symptoms are present.^[3]

Bronchial irritation symptoms

Cough
Hoarseness
Phlegm production

Note: that despite common sense,phlegm production does not necessarily indicate bacterial infection.^[3]

Constitutional Symptoms

Additional Symptoms Based on Different Pathogens^[1]

Influenza Virus & Adenovirus

Fever, chills, headache, myalgia
Bronchitis caused by Adenovirus may cause systemic and gastrointestinal symptoms.^[4]

Parainfluenza Virus

Children may present with stridor and difficultly breathing
Common in autumn season
Common cause of outbreak in nursing homes

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Common in winter and spring
Family history of exposure to an infant with bronchiolitis is important.

Rhinovirus

Mild symptoms

Atypical Bacteria

Bordetella Pertusis

Commonly affects young adults
Incubation period of 1-3 weeks
Cough lasting > 2 weeks
Fever uncommon

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae & Chlamydiae Pneumonia

Subacute onset, 2-3 week (helps in differentiating from influenza)
Common in closed environment (military bases, schools, hostels)

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Wenzel RP, Fowler AA (2006). “Clinical practice. Acute bronchitis”. N. Engl. J. Med. 355 (20): 2125–30. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp061493. PMID 17108344.
↑ Graffelman AW, le Cessie S, Knuistingh Neven A, Wilemssen FE, Zonderland HM, van den Broek PJ (2007). “Can history and exam alone reliably predict pneumonia?”. J Fam Pract. 56 (6): 465–70. PMID 17543257.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Albert RH (2010). “Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis”. Am Fam Physician. 82 (11): 1345–50. PMID 21121518.
↑ “Civilian Outbreak of Adenovirus Acute Respiratory Disease — South Dakota, 1997”. Retrieved 2007-10-08.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[pmid17108344-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Wenzel RP, Fowler AA (2006). “Clinical practice. Acute bronchitis”. N. Engl. J. Med. 355 (20): 2125–30. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp061493. PMID 17108344.

[pmid17543257-2] Graffelman AW, le Cessie S, Knuistingh Neven A, Wilemssen FE, Zonderland HM, van den Broek PJ (2007). “Can history and exam alone reliably predict pneumonia?”. J Fam Pract. 56 (6): 465–70. PMID 17543257.

[pmid21121518-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Albert RH (2010). “Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis”. Am Fam Physician. 82 (11): 1345–50. PMID 21121518.

[4] “Civilian Outbreak of Adenovirus Acute Respiratory Disease — South Dakota, 1997”. Retrieved 2007-10-08.

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