LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Bronchitis: Infections
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Introduction: Bronchitis refers simply to inflammation of the windpipe (tracheobronchial tree). This is usually caused by infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, etc) but it can ... be triggered by irritants and allergens. This condition is widely prevalent throughout the world and is a frequent cause of absenteeism from school and work.
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Bronchitis can involve all 3 bad guys – bacteria, virus and fungus, especially when occurring after another infection. For example, bronchitis is very common following a sinus infection due to the post-nasal drip of thickened mucus.
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Bronchitis is broken down into two different types. The first you got acute bronchitis. This is the kind that makes bronchitis contagious, because it is caused by influenza, the common chest cold, or an infection.
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The most important treatment for chronic bronchitis is to remove the irritation that is causing the condition. That means avoiding irritants such as cigarette smoke and polluted air. You may ... need to use a drug called a bronchodilator, which relaxes the bronchial muscles so the airways are widened and it’s easier to breathe. You can take this drug orally, or inhale it through a device called a nebulizer. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if your chronic bronchitis is accompanied by a bacterial infection. Steroids called corticosteroids also can help relax the airways so you can breathe easier.
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Acute bronchitis comes on rapidly, usually after a virus has invaded the upper respiratory tract. Sometimes there is a bacterial infection as well. Viruses most likely to trigger acute bronchitis are those responsible for influenza (the flu) or the common cold. The viruses that cause measles and rubella (German measles) can ... cause acute bronchitis. In these cases, it is called [A]cute infectious bronchitis. The condition is called acute irritative bronchitis when it is caused by inhaling dust, fumes, or smoke.
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Bacterial infections may accompany acute bronchitis. These infections can be treated with antibiotics. The most important rule about antibiotics is to take the full amount prescribed. Failure to do so can cause the infection to return. A variety of antibiotics is available for use with adults, including trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (pronounced tri-METH-o-prim/SULL-fuhmeth-OCK-suh-zole, trade names Bactrim or Septra), azithromycin (pronounced uh-zith-ro-MISE-uhn, trade name Zithromax), and clarithromycin (pronounced kluh-rith-ruh-MISE-uhn, trade name Biaxin). Children under the age of eight are usually given amoxicillin (pronounced uh-MOK-sih-SIL-in, trade names Amoxil, Pentamox, Sumox, Trimox).
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