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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Acute bronchitis history and symptoms

Introduction

Overview

Overview

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

History

History

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

Symptoms

Symptoms

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

Bronchial irritation symptoms

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

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

References

  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.
  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.
  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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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.