3.33 Bronchitis Lesson

This lesson will introduce you to bronchitis, which is a common respiratory (breathing) illness. You will learn about the causes and symptoms of bronchitis, and will also learn a bit about treatment and prevention.

What is Bronchitis?

You wake up one morning with a little bit of a cough. As the day goes on, the cough gets worse, and starts to bring up mucus (gross!). By the time you go to bed, you have a slight fever, and feel pretty terrible. You definitely won’t be going to school tomorrow! Does all of this sound familiar? If so, then you may have had bronchitis.

Bronchitis develops when the tubes that connect your windpipe to your lungs become inflamed, or swollen and irritated.

Air passes in and out of your lungs through the bronchial tubes.

This inflammation causes people to cough, and to have some other unpleasant symptoms. The main symptoms of bronchitis include:

• A cough that starts out dry, but then brings up clear, white, yellow, or green mucus
• A slight fever
• Feeling tired, achy, or generally ill
• Wheezing, which is a high-pitched sound when you breathe
• Shortness of breath

If these symptoms last for a few days to a few weeks, it may be due to acute bronchitis, which usually goes away on its own. If the symptoms last for months, then it is probably a case of chronic bronchitis, which can be serious.

1. Main points:

The text explains the symptoms of bronchitis, how it occurs due to inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and differentiates between acute and chronic bronchitis.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the main symptoms of bronchitis as listed in the text?
• Contextual Analysis: What causes the bronchial tubes to become inflamed, leading to bronchitis?
• Thematic Analysis: What is the difference between acute and chronic bronchitis according to the text?

3. Further Discussion:

• Considering the symptoms of bronchitis, why do you think it’s important to differentiate between acute and chronic bronchitis?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "A cough that starts out dry, but then brings up mucus… A slight fever… Feeling tired, achy, or generally ill… Wheezing… Shortness of breath."
• Contextual Analysis: "Bronchitis develops when the tubes that connect your windpipe to your lungs become inflamed."
• Thematic Analysis: "If these symptoms last for a few days to a few weeks, it may be due to acute bronchitis… If the symptoms last for months, then it is probably a case of chronic bronchitis."

What Causes Bronchitis and How Can I Avoid It?

Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus, much like the common cold. In fact, bronchitis symptoms can start toward the end of a cold. Bacterial infections sometimes cause bronchitis symptoms, as well. In extremely rare cases, bronchitis can be caused by a fungal infection. This usually only happens when people have weakened immune systems, meaning they have a hard time fighting off illnesses.

Whatever the cause, acute bronchitis can be prevented by good hand washing and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Chronic bronchitis can be caused by anything that irritates the lungs, but is usually caused by smoking.

1. Main points:

The text details the causes of acute bronchitis, including viruses, bacteria, and rare fungal infections, especially in those with weakened immune systems, and highlights prevention methods and the link between chronic bronchitis and smoking.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the primary causes of acute bronchitis as mentioned in the text?
• Thematic Analysis: How can acute bronchitis be prevented according to the text?
• Socio-cultural Analysis: Why is smoking predominantly linked to chronic bronchitis?

3. Further Discussion:

• Given the different causes of acute and chronic bronchitis, how do you think lifestyle choices impact our health?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus… Bacterial infections sometimes cause bronchitis symptoms, as well."
• Thematic Analysis: "Acute bronchitis can be prevented by good hand washing and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth."
• Socio-cultural Analysis: "Chronic bronchitis can be caused by anything that irritates the lungs, but is usually caused by smoking."

How Long Does it Last and How Can I Treat It?

Acute bronchitis can make people feel awful for several days, but it usually clears up on its own. If bronchitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help. Antibiotics are only useful for bacterial infections, and can cause problems if they are used too often. A person with acute bronchitis should see a doctor right away if the cough gets worse, they have trouble breathing, or they develop a fever above 100.4 degrees.

Chronic bronchitis requires long-term medical treatment. The patient should avoid anything that irritates the lungs. If they smoke, they need to stop!

1. Main points:

The text explains that acute bronchitis generally resolves on its own, antibiotics are not effective against viral bronchitis, and symptoms to watch for. It also mentions chronic bronchitis requires ongoing treatment and lifestyle changes, especially quitting smoking.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What should a person with acute bronchitis do if their condition worsens?
• Linguistic Analysis: Why does the text emphasize the ineffectiveness of antibiotics for viral bronchitis?
• Thematic Analysis: What ongoing steps are necessary for managing chronic bronchitis?

3. Further Discussion:

• Considering the different treatments for acute and chronic bronchitis, why do you think it’s important to know whether bronchitis is viral or bacterial?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "A person with acute bronchitis should see a doctor right away if the cough gets worse, they have trouble breathing, or they develop a fever above 100.4 degrees."
• Linguistic Analysis: "If bronchitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help. Antibiotics are only useful for bacterial infections, and can cause problems if they are used too often."
• Thematic Analysis: "Chronic bronchitis requires long-term medical treatment. The patient should avoid anything that irritates the lungs. If they smoke, they need to stop!"

Lesson Summary

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which lead to the lungs. Symptoms include a cough that eventually produces mucus, slight fever, and generally feeling unwell. Bronchitis can be acute (lasting a short time) or chronic (lasting a long time). Acute bronchitis is usually viral, but can sometimes be caused by bacterial or fungal infections. Chronic bronchitis is frequently caused by smoking. Worsening bronchitis symptoms should always be checked by a doctor