Serious coughs: Bronchitis

The following serious illnesses associated with coughing require immediate medical treatment.

This is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, the main airways splitting off from the trachea into each lung. Bronchitis is classified either as acute or chronic, which entails important differences.
Acute bronchitis is most common in babies and children, but care should be taken that factors associated with chronic bronchitis are avoided. This infection is predominantly caused by a virus, and mostly follows cold or flu symptoms.
Bacterial bronchitis accounts for fewer than 10% of cases. While chronic bronchitis is less prevalent in infants, risk factors are passive smoking, inhalation of noxious fumes, polluted air, compromised immunity, and poor or mucus-producing diet in those with inherent weak respiratory systems.

Identifying the cough

• Persistent cough, usually dry at first and progressing to productive yellow to green mucus
• Fever
•  Wheezing and shortness of breath

Serious coughs: Bronchiolitis


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