BRONCHITIS 101

There are some things that you can not escape when it comes to getting to know me. I have allergies and I usually get really sick in March. I have for the last 3 years had bronchitis. Didn't know much about it other than it sucked, so trying to stay up so that my medication will have time to digest before I go BACK to bed, I found some info for everyone. My brother-in-law has it too and I guess pneumonia comes next so watch out people!

Chronic bronchitis is most frequently caused by long term irritation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis caused by allergies can also be classified as chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is caused most often by exposure to airborne pollutants such as cigarette smoke, excessive dust in the air, or chemicals. The bronchial lining becomes inflamed and the constant exposure to such pollutants begins to cause damage in the bronchioles (the smaller airways in the lungs).

Nice.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the part of the respiratory system that leads into the lungs. Acute bronchitis has a sudden onset and usually appears after a respiratory infection, such as a cold, and can be caused by either a virus or bacteria. The infection inflames the bronchial tubes, which causes symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, wheezing, and the production of thick yellow mucus. If acute bronchitis occurs because of a bacterial infection antibiotics are given for the treatment. Otherwise if the infection is viral medications can only be given to alleviate the symptoms. Although acute bronchitis is relatively common, some people are more prone to it than others.

My symptoms:
fever....CHECK
cough... CHECK
sore throat... CHECK
production of thick yellow mucus... CHECK CHECK!

Thanks to Trish and Jamaica for covering all week at work, Kristen for bringing me movies that I wish I could stay awake long enough to watch, and Julie and Colls for letting me quarantine myself in our house...sorry if you get it even after sterilizing everything every time I go back to bed.