Bronchitis history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

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==History==
==History==
* Bronchitis is common in patients with smoking, low socio-economic status, living industrial or heavy pollutant areas, toxic substance exposure. Thus, obtaining a personal history and socio-economic history is very important.
* [[Bronchitis]] is common in patients with a history of smoking, low socio-economic status, residing in industrial or heavy pollutant areas, and exposure to toxic substance. Thus, obtaining a personal and socio-economic history is very important.
* Bronchitis is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. Thus, past medical history to rule out asthma, allergic history is important.
* Bronchitis is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. Thus, past medical history to rule out asthma, and allergic history is important.


==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==

Revision as of 16:12, 27 February 2012

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Bronchitis Main page

Patient Information

Overview

Causes

Classification

Acute bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis

Differential Diagnosis

Overview

History

  • Bronchitis is common in patients with a history of smoking, low socio-economic status, residing in industrial or heavy pollutant areas, and exposure to toxic substance. Thus, obtaining a personal and socio-economic history is very important.
  • Bronchitis is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. Thus, past medical history to rule out asthma, and allergic history is important.

Symptoms

The symptoms of either type of bronchitis may include:

  • Cough with [[mucus](clear, yellow, green, or even blood-tinged). is the (commonest)symptoms. Initially it may be difficult to distinguish a acute bronchitis from upper respiratory tract infection. However, a cough lasting >5 days indicates a diagnosis of Bronchitis. Cough usually last for 1-2 weeks in acute bronchitis. A yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection.
  • Chest discomfort
  • Fatigue, muscle aches
  • Fever -- uncommon and may suggest other diagnosis for instance pneumonia or Influenza.
  • Shortness of breath, worsened by exertion or mild activity
  • Wheezing
  • Sore throat, runny nose
  • Difficulty in breathing and blue discoloration of extremities can be seen in late stages of the disease

Even after acute bronchitis has cleared, you may have a dry, nagging cough that lingers for several weeks.

Additional symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

References