Is bronchitis contagious?

The spread of chronic and acute bronchitis, helps answer the question of whether it is contagious or not.Chronic bronchitis is an infection and inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, which causes excessive mucus production. These high levels of mucus production in the airways are merely the inflammatory response of the body to bronchial infection and irritation. Excess mucus disrupts the normal respiratory process by reducing the amount of air going to the lungs. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, discomfort, chest pain and cough with mucus produced.

Is Bronchitis Contagious?

Chronic bronchitis can cause persistent symptoms in time and recurring that can increase as it progresses. Chronic bronchitis presents as characteristic a productive cough, increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial respiratory infections and little responsiveness to treatment with medication. Chronic bronchitis can last for three months or more and reappear two years later. Today, there is no specific treatment for chronic bronchitis.Compared to people with acute bronchitis, patients who suffer from chronic bronchitis do not respond well to antibiotic treatment. Excess mucus in the bronchi may facilitate the spread of bacteria and other organisms that cause infections.  
The disease can become very serious over the area where infections occur. Antibiotics are ineffective for treating chronic bronchitis completely. Thus, treatment of chronic bronchitis focuses on relieving symptoms existing to prevent the further development of other complications.In the initial phase of chronic bronchitis symptoms are usually perceived by patients at night or morning. Patients with advanced chronic bronchitis suffer from inflammation of the airways because of obstruction of the mucus. This condition produces a marked and persistent cough or also known as "smoker's cough". People with chronic bronchitis can also contract lung problems and can develop serious lung diseases such as emphysema and pneumonia.As time passes, chronic bronchitis patients can suffer from poor oxygenation of the blood, hypoventilation or hyperventilation, shallow breathing. The complicated chronic bronchitis can also cause cyanosis or a condition in which the skin becomes bluish suggesting pneumonia or emphysema.The simple act of smoking alone can not be considered as the main cause of development of chronic bronchitis. 
However, the disease occurs in most cases from regular smoking. Keep in mind that smoking greatly contributes to bacterial growth and slows the healing process of organs and respiratory tissue. Sometimes asthma is related to chronic bronchitis because of symptoms of similarities. But patients who suffer from both chronic bronchitis and asthma may experience a relapse of symptoms and shows the lack of response to medical treatment.In some cases, chronic bronchitis is the consequence of acute bronchitis poorly treated or untreated and other diseases related to the respiratory system.  

Chronic bronchitis is also caused by too much exposure to air pollutants such as chemicals and dust.Acute bronchitis is usually caused by infections of the lungs. Ten percent of these infections are caused by bacteria, ten percent are viral. However, chronic bronchitis is caused by more than one factor. Acute bronchitis which repeatedly attack a person can irritate and weaken the bronchi leading to chronic bronchitis.Another cause of chronic bronchitis is industrial pollution. Continuous exposure to dust, metal molders, stevedores, miners eg bronchitis increases the rate compared to the rest of the population. High concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere also aggravate symptoms of chronic bronchitis. However, in the case of an asthmatic bronchitis, it is not contagious.Bronchitis can be contagious if the bacteria and viruses are transmitted to another person by direct or indirect contact. The fluid from the nose or mouth of an infected person can be spread by coughing, sneezing, sharing the same utensils and glasses and touching handkerchiefs or tissues.

Bronchitis is not contagious. 
Symptoms of bronchitisThe symptoms are much the same for acute and chronic bronchitis:

    A fatty, deep cough, which is accentuated in the supine position or when the air is cold and dry.
    Thick mucus (sputum) yellow or greenish color.
    General malaise: mild fever, body aches, headache, decreased appetite.
    Chest pain that feels like the chest is compressed.
    Shortness of breath.
    Wheezing.In advanced stages, the person suffering from bronchitis may have swollen legs, blue lips, vomiting and dizziness following the coughing.DiagnosisDiagnosis is made by means of a doctor's physical examination. The latter may also carry out a detailed examination, radiographs of the lungs and blood tests to diagnose this disease.Possible risk of complicationsIn some cases, that is to say in already weak, the elderly and smokers, acute bronchitis can easily escalate and turn into chronic bronchitis.Chronic bronchitis can cause a permanent narrowing of the airways, which causes increased sensitivity and a serious decline in life expectancy. In addition, affected individuals become much more sensitive to all the other kinds of respiratory infections (pneumonia, for example).Treatment of bronchitisThe first thing to do to treat bronchitis is to stop smoking! Ideally, a final judgment is recommended, but even a few days break will rapidly reduce inflammation of the airways and bronchi.Then, several treatments will be considered, depending on the origin and severity of bronchitis.

    Antibiotics (only for bacterial bronchitis)
    Antitussives
    Expectorants syrups
    Inhaled medications that help dilate bronchi: bronchodilators (pumps, the same as is used for the treatment of asthma)It is also recommended to drink plenty of fluids (water, herbal teas, teas) and use a humidifier. It is also beneficial to massage the breast by "tapping" because it thins the secretions and facilitating expectoration.PreventionThe best ways to prevent bronchitis include not smoking and avoiding smoky environments. Also, it takes as much as possible, avoid allergens and pollutants of all kinds: molds, chemicals, dust, etc.It is also recommended to strengthen the immune system, eat well, sleep well and regular physical activity.Also pay attention to basic hygiene rules (frequent hand washing, vaccination) to prevent colds and flu that could result in bronchitis.

bronchitis contagious: