Acute Bronchitis Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is a type of lower respiratory tract infection where there is inflammation of the large airways but not of the lung parenchyma. majority of cases are viral, with common causes including:
Rhinovirus
Coronavirus
What is the presentation?
Cough is the main symptom that may be dry
Initial URTI symptoms like headache and sore throat may be present
Dyspnoea
Chest wall pain with coughing
Low-grade fever
Wheeze, especially on forced expiration
Rhonchi that clear with coughing
How is acute Ron this managed?
Supportive
Reassuring patients
Fluid intake
Antibiotics should not be prescribed unless immunocompromised, then oral doxycycline
What is acute bronchitis?
A type of chest infection usually self-limiting in nature, resulting from inflammation of the trachea and major bronchi.
What are the common symptoms of acute bronchitis?
Cough, sore throat, rhinorrhoea, wheeze.
What is the typical duration for the resolution of acute bronchitis?
Usually resolves before 3 weeks.
What percentage of patients may still have a cough beyond 3 weeks?
25%.
What is the leading cause of acute bronchitis?
Viral infection.
What percentage of acute bronchitis episodes occur in autumn or winter?
Around 80%.
What are the typical findings on chest examination for most patients with acute bronchitis?
Majority have a normal chest examination.
What additional symptoms may some patients with acute bronchitis present?
Low-grade fever, wheeze.
How can acute bronchitis be differentiated from pneumonia based on history?
Sputum, wheeze, breathlessness may be absent in acute bronchitis.
What examination findings are absent in acute bronchitis compared to pneumonia?
No focal chest signs like dullness to percussion, crepitations, bronchial breathing.
What systemic features may be present in pneumonia but absent in acute bronchitis?
Malaise, myalgia, and fever.
Is acute bronchitis typically a clinical diagnosis?
Yes.
What role does CRP testing play in managing acute bronchitis?
It may guide whether antibiotic therapy is indicated.
What are the management strategies for acute bronchitis?
Analgesia, good fluid intake.
When should antibiotic therapy be considered for acute bronchitis?
If patients are systemically very unwell, have pre-existing co-morbidities, or have a CRP of 20-100mg/L or >100mg/L.
What is the first-line antibiotic recommended by the BNF for acute bronchitis?
Doxycycline.
Who cannot use doxycycline?
Children or pregnant women.
What is an alternative antibiotic to doxycycline for acute bronchitis?
Amoxicillin.
