Viral Bronchitis
A persistent hacking cough lets a person know that he or she might have bronchitis. The bronchitis cause might be a virus, a bacterium, exposure to cigarette smoke, prolonged exposure to cleaning products, or by stomach acid irritating the bronchial tubes. Acute bronchitis usually lasts for a week or two. If the bronchial tubes become permanently inflamed, a patient may develop chronic bronchitis.
A bronchitis sufferer can take several steps to alleviate his symptoms that do not involve the use of drugs. Using a humidifier helps keep the inflammation down. Taking over the counter medications to control the cough may help a sufferer sleep at night. If the bronchitis cause is an environmental pollutant such as cigarette smoke or household cleaners. A person who thinks any of these might be his bronchitis cause should avoid the items that inflame his condition.
Good handwashing is key to preventing most diseases and anyone who has acute bronchitis or comes in contact with someone who has it should use this as their first line of defense. Experts recommend washing your hands with soap and warm water for a least 15 seconds before and after coming in contact with a person who is ill. This is about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
Do antibiotics work for either kind of bronchitis lung? No. Almost all cases of bronchitis are viral infections so antibiotics do not do anything to help cure bronchitis. Antibiotics are commonly still prescribed for bronchitis even though they can actually do more harm than good. Rest and low activity are recommended to alleviate symptoms. Usually treating the symptoms is all that can be done to help a person feel better untill the immune system can fight it off. It is very important to treat bronchitis lung as it can develp into pneumonia.
One of the home care ideas for bronchitis fever is a mentholated chest rub, a vaporizer to keep the air you are breathing moist, a pain and fever reducer, plenty of liquids like hot teas for the comfort factor. This works in probably about twenty percent of the cases as they are most likely mild and will go away in a week or so. Rest, sleeping on an incline with your head and chest higher than your feet may help as well.
People who want to use pelargonium should try Bronovil. The South African flower is Bronovils key ingredient is the South African geranium mentioned above. Pelargonium works by preventing viruses from attaching to cells in the body. This herb boosts the bodys immune system, which makes it useful for older people and people suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Want to find out more about Treatbronchitis, then visit our site and learn more about Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis and Chronic Bronchitis.