A new study has revealed that if not taken care then bronchitis lead to more serious conditions such as pneumonia which requires medical treatment.
The study led by Loyola University explained that bronchitis is a serious condition of the lower respiratory tract and occurs when bronchi of the lungs become inflamed and causes fever, chills, chest congestion and productive cough that lasts longer than 5 days.
Khalilah Babino, immediate care physician at Loyola University said that the cough can last 2-3 weeks and could be an indicator of a more serious condition and if symptoms persist for more than 7-10 days or get worse one should see a doctor.
Dr. Babino further mentioned that when cold gets worse one feels like wheezing or shortness of breath and still they assume to manage it with antibiotics, although antibiotics are not helpful for bronchitis causing virus.
The experts advised to treat long-time and bothersome cold with rest, fluids, a humidifier, fever and pain relievers and over-the-counter cough medication.
However in the worse cases patient should follow tips like practicing good hand hygiene, covering mouth while sneeze or coughing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, consistent exercise and do regular preventive care such as the annual flu shot.
