Author Topic: is Bronchitis Contagious?  (Read 193 times)

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is Bronchitis Contagious?
« on: June 12, 2016, 11:46:09 pm »
Lungs After Bronchitis - is Bronchitis Contagious?
Yes and no. It is not a trick question or answer. The real answer is - it depends. Bronchitis is divided into two very different categories. First is acute bronchitis which is what most think of when they hear the word bronchitis. This type of bronchitis is caused by a viral infection called influenza and is highly contagious. It is easily spread by coughing, sneezing, and even simply breathing. The infection is caused by air borne germs. There is truly no way to protect yourself from the germs that are spread around by someone with the virus.

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Unfortunately, viral infections can not be treated by traditional antibiotics. The person carrying the virus is contagious for as long as they are showing any symptoms of bronchitis. This includes the well known hacking cough commonly associated with bronchitis. These symptoms can also include a wet mucous discharge from the cough, fever, headache, and fatigue. life is short. Use it to its maximum by utilizing whatever knowledge it offers for knowledge is important for all walks of life. Even the crooks have to be intelligent!

Bright Blessings,
Ashira   *****    ashira@ashira.ws   Ashira is a Practicing Pagan for over 15 years.  Currently she is a featured columnist at ***** second type of bronchitis is called chronic bronchitis. This form of bronchitis is not contagious. It has almost identical symptoms including the common cough and wheezing found in acute bronchitis. However, it is cause by a very different group of sources. Smoking, second hand smoke, or other air borne allergies are the culprits that cause the chronic bronchitis. Many times this form of bronchitis is the first sign of more serious respiratory conditions. Like the acute form, antibiotics will have no effect on this form of bronchitis.

A person has acute bronchitis and it continues for longer than a week medical advice is called for. There maybe another underlying cause of the bronchitis that only a doctor will be able to find. Similarly, if you have bronchitis more often than once a year, you should seek medical advice. In most all cases bronchitis is caused by viruses; however, in some cases there may be a bacterial infection which will only be able to be treated properly by antibiotics. It has been proven that antibiotics that are over prescribed for viral infections may actually create other infections such as yeast infections. Only a doctor will be able to tell if it is bacterial or viral.

Regardless of the type of bronchitis that you have, any cough lasting more than one week is reason to seek professional medical advice. An ounce of prevention can be priceless. If you are in a public environment where many people have access to it, avoid contact with anyone who has a hacking cough. Wash your hands frequently with an antibacterial soap. Disinfect items that may have had direct contact with anyone who has displayed a hacking cough. If someone in you home as a hacking cough, be sure to disinfect door handles, the bathrooms and use a disinfectant air spray to remove and kill any airborne viral infections floating around. Whenever one reads any reading matter, it is vital that the person enjoys reading it. One should grasp the meaning of the matter, only then can it be considered that the reading is complete.

Writer once said that every time medical science demonstrates that with proper resources and with proper treatment, diseases might be treated if they aren't cured.

  • Aspirin - a drug which is usually used like an "analgesic" for reducing minor pains, body aches etc.
  • However, aspirins aren't recommended being used by children unless they're advised by their doctor.
  • We have to be very flexible when talking to children about Bronchitis.
  • They seem to interpret things in a different way from the way we see things!
The chronic bronchitis is to be considered very severe then you'll have to do "oxygen therapy." This is a kind of therapy which administers oxygen as its therapeutic modality where the oxygen supply would be heightened. With the use of a nasal cannula or a mask, oxygen would be supplied to us.

  • Since cough might be very annoying, you must find ways to stop coughing.
  • The very effective action is drinking plenty of fluids (non-caffeinated) like water and juices.
  • Studies reveal that water is a best expectorant for easing your cough and it's thin like mucus.
Get Optimum Rest
The very best way for fighting these symptoms of bronchitis is to take ample amount of rest possible. By doing this, you'll be able to possess more energy which you need for fighting the infections. Our dreams of writing a lengthy article on Acute Bronchitis has finally materialized Through this article on Acute Bronchitis. however, only if you acknowledge its use, will we feel gratitude for writing it!

Chronic bronchitis does entail long-term treatment when compared to acute one. Medical findings reveal that there's no cure for this chronic bronchitis. The prime objective for us to treat this kind of illness is by relieving you from these symptoms and by keeping off the complications.

Try Getting Enough Sleep
If you don't sleep due to the inability to breathe normally, try increasing your bed's head. When you do this, the nasal passages and sinuses would have better amount of drainage and it won't induce a "tickle" inside the throat. When a child shows a flicker of understanding when talking about Bronchitis, we feel that the objective of the meaning of Bronchitis being spread, being achieved.

You're a smoker, it'll be recommended to you to discontinue smoking. Substances inside a cigarette have irritants which may contribute for the severity of the cough. We found it rather unbelievable to find out that there is so much to learn on Bronchitis! Wonder if you could believe it after going through it!

  • Use drugs which don't need a prescription.
  • There are many recommended such medicines if you possess acute bronchitis.
  • These drugs are given to decrease fever and any other discomfort pulled in by these kinds of symptoms.
  • Acetaminophen - a drug which is commonly used for relieving soreness of our body and fever as well.    2.
  • Ibuprofen - this drug is given for individuals for giving aid to the fever which they possess.
  • Be well-informed about the disorder most especially its handling would give a lot of benefits.
  • Read more about how bronchitis is treated.
  • Most importantly, speak with your doctor and don't fear to ask your queries if there are some vague terms which you couldn't understand.
  • Nothing abusive about Symptoms Bronchitis have been intentionally added here.
  • Whatever it is that we have added, is all informative and productive to you.
It can't be prevented, there are suggested and prescribed medications like the following:  1.   betaz- agonists (inhaled) - this kind of medication will be usually prescribed if chronic cough is present. You or a caretaker must be very cautious of the side effects like trembling and tenseness. ;)

Some Doctors May Recommend the Consumption of Antibiotics
But this is suited  only for infections which recur. Also, the usage of steroids like Corticosteroids may sometimes be prescribed to those who may not act according to the recommended treatments. There are few doctors who might not prescribe this kind of medication as it may lead to many side effects. Corticosteroid is used only when its needed.

  • Bronchitis might be cured if you learn the ways for making yourself better.
  • These information might also be very helpful for your caretaker.
  • Relieve the cough. :o
The fluoroquinolones are a relatively new group of antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones were first introduced in 1986, but they are really modified quinolones, a class of antibiotics, whose accidental discovery occurred in the early 1960.

Conditions treated with Fluoroquinolones: indications and uses  The newer fluoroquinolones have a wider clinical use and a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity including gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Some of the newer fluoroquinolones have an important role in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections. The serum elimination half-life of the fluoroquinolones range from 3 -20 hours, allowing for once or twice daily dosing.

Fluoroquinolones are approved for use only in people older than 18. They can affect the growth of bones, teeth, and cartilage in a child or fetus. The FDA has assigned fluoroquinolones to pregnancy risk category C, indicating that these drugs have the potential to cause teratogenic or embryocidal effects. Giving fluoroquinolones during pregnancy is not recommended unless the benefits justify the potential risks to the fetus. These agents are also excreted in breast milk and should be avoided during breast-feeding if at all possible. Writing on Chronic Bronchitis proved to be a gamble to us. This is because there simply seemed to be nothing to write about in the beginning of writing. It was only in the process of writing did we get more and more to write on Chronic Bronchitis.

Second-generation agents include ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin is the most potent fluoroquinolone against P. aeruginosa. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are the most widely used second-generation quinolones because of their availability in oral and intravenous formulations and their broad set of FDA-labeled indications.

Third Generation
The third-generation fluoroquinolones are separated into a third class because of their expanded activity against gram-positive organisms, particularly penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae, and atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Although the third-generation agents retain broad gram-negative coverage, they are less active than ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas species. So after reading what we have mentioned here on Bronchitis, it is up to you to provide your verdict as to what exactly it is that you find fascinating here.

The fluoroquinolones are a family of synthetic, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with bactericidal activity. The parent of the group is nalidixic acid, discovered in 1962 by Lescher and colleagues. The first fluoroquinolones were widely used because they were the only orally administered agents available for the treatment of serious infections caused by gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas species.

Fluoroquinolones Disadvantages:
Tendonitis or tendon rupture  Multiple drug interactions Not used in children Newer quinolones produce additional toxicities to the heart that were not found with the older agents There are many varieties of Bronchitis found today. However, we have stuck to the description of only one variety to prevent confusion!

Side Effects
The fluoroquinolones as a class are generally well tolerated. Most adverse effects are mild in severity, self-limited, and rarely result in treatments that one should know. However, they can have serious adverse effects. Looking for something logical on Chronic Bronchitis, we stumbled on the information provided here. Look out for anything illogical here.

Urinary tract infections (norfloxacin, lomefloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin) Lower respiratory tract infections (lomefloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trovafloxacin) Skin and skin-structure infections (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trovafloxacin) Urethral and cervical gonococcal infections (norfloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin) Prostatitis (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, trovafloxacin) Acute sinusitis (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin (Avelox), trovafloxacin) Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (levofloxacin, sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin) Community-acquired pneumonia (levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin) There is a vast ocean of knowledge connected with Chronic Bronchitis. What is included here can be considered a fraction of this knowledge!

Gastrointestinal Effects
The most common adverse events experienced with fluoroquinolone administration are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain), which occur in 1 to 5% of patients.  CNS effects. Headache, dizziness, and drowsiness have been reported with all fluoroquinolones. Insomnia was reported in 3-7% of patients with ofloxacin. Severe CNS effects, including seizures, have been reported in patients receiving trovafloxacin. Seizures may develop within 3 to 4 days of therapy but resolve with drug discontinuation. Although seizures are infrequent, fluoroquinolones should be avoided in patients with a history of convulsion, cerebral trauma, or anoxia. No seizures have been reported with levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, and gemifloxacin. With the older non-fluorinated quinolones neurotoxic symptoms such as dizziness occurred in about 50% of the patients.  Phototoxicity. Exposure to ultraviolet A rays from direct or indirect sunlight should be avoided during treatment and several days (5 days with sparfloxacin) after the use of the drug. The degree of phototoxic potential of fluoroquinolones is as follows: lomefloxacin > sparfloxacin > ciprofloxacin > norfloxacin = ofloxacin = levofloxacin = gatifloxacin = moxifloxacin. Musculoskeletal effects. Concern about the development of musculoskeletal effects, evident in animal studies, has led to the contraindication of fluoroquinolones for routine use in children and in women who are pregnant or lactating.  Tendon damage (tendinitis and tendon rupture). Although fluoroquinolone-learn to treat bronchitis naturally in seven days within one week of discontinuation of therapy, spontaneous ruptures have been reported as long as nine months after cessation of fluoroquinolone use. Potential risk factors for tendinopathy include age >50 years, male gender, and concomitant use of corticosteroids. Hepatoxicity. Trovafloxacin use has been associated with rare liver damage, which prompted the withdrawal of the oral preparations from the U.S. market. However, the IV preparation is still available for treatment of infections so serious that the benefits outweigh the risks. Cardiovascular effects. The newer quinolones have been found to produce additional toxicities to the heart that were not found with the older compounds. Evidence suggests that sparfloxacin and grepafloxacin may have the most cardiotoxic potential. Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia. Recently, rare cases of hypoglycemia have been reported with gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin in patients also receiving oral diabetic medications, primarily sulfonylureas. Although hypoglycemia has been reported with other fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin and moxifloxacin), the effects have been mild. Hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity reactions occur only occasionally during quinolone therapy and are generally mild to moderate in severity, and usually resolve after treatment is stopped.

Because of concern about hepatotoxicity, trovafloxacin therapy should be reserved for life- or limb-threatening infections requiring inpatient treatment (hospital or long-term care facility), and the drug should be taken for no longer than 14 days.

Fluoroquinolones Advantages:
Ease of administration Daily or twice daily dosing  Excellent oral absorption Excellent tissue penetration  Prolonged half-lives Significant entry into phagocytic cells Efficacy Overall safety Chronic Bronchitis are versatile as they are found in all parts and walks of life. It all depends on the way you take it

All of the fluoroquinolones are effective in treating urinary tract infections caused by susceptible organisms. They are the first-line treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in patients who cannot tolerate sulfonamides or TMP, who live in geographic areas with known resistance > 10% to 20% to TMP-SMX, or who have risk factors for such resistance. :)

Classification of Fluoroquinolones
As a group, the fluoroquinolones have excellent in vitro activity against a wide range of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The newest fluoroquinolones have enhanced activity against gram-positive bacteria with only a minimal decrease in activity against gram-negative bacteria. Their expanded gram-positive activity is especially important because it includes significant activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Second Generation
The second-generation fluoroquinolones have increased gram-negative activity, as well as some gram-positive and atypical pathogen coverage. Compared with first-generation quinolones, these drugs have broader clinical applications in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis, sexually transmitted diseases, selected pneumonias and skin infections.

The newer fluoroquinolones have a wider clinical use and a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity including gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Some of the newer fluoroquinolones have an important role in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections.

First Generation
The first-generation agents include cinoxacin and nalidixic acid, which are the oldest and least often used quinolones. These drugs had poor systemic distribution and limited activity and were used primarily for gram-negative urinary tract infections. Cinoxacin and nalidixic acid require more frequent dosing than the newer quinolones, and they are more susceptible to the development of bacterial resistance. It is only if you find some usage for the matter described here on Bronchitis that we will feel the efforts put in writing on Bronchitis fruitful. So make good usage of it! :o.

Fourth Generation
The fourth-generation fluoroquinolones add significant antimicrobial activity against anaerobes while maintaining the gram-positive and gram-negative activity of the third-generation drugs. They also retain activity against Pseudomonas species comparable to that of ciprofloxacin. The fourth-generation fluoroquinolones include trovafloxacin (Trovan).

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