Bronchitis is a respiratory infection that occurs when the tubes and air sacs that carry air to the lungs are obstructed with mucus and inflammation. In most instances, bronchitis will clear up by itself. However, there are cases where you may need supportive care from a medical provider to manage your symptoms. This article will go through various symptoms and modes of transmission of bronchitis. If you’re feeling sick and think you may have bronchitis, it is important to seek medical care to avoid spreading it to others. At AFC Urgent Care Bedford, our walk-in clinic offers same-day cough treatment. We’re conveniently open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!

How Bronchitis Spreads

Bronchitis is a condition that can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It is highly contagious, making it important to correctly manage to prevent the spread of infection. There are a few ways that you can contract bronchitis, including the following:

1. Respiratory Droplets.
When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, small droplets filled with the virus or bacteria are released into the air. If you happen to be around when this occurs, you might just breathe in these droplets, contracting the infection.

2. Direct Contact.
Close contact with someone who is infected, either through shaking hands or other physical interactions, can transfer the pathogens responsible directly from a sick person to a healthy person. This is because the droplets and mucus are more likely to have landed on the person's clothes and hands.

3. Contaminated Surfaces.
Viruses and bacteria can land on surfaces like tables or railings, especially in public. When you interact with these surfaces and then go on to touch your face and mouth, these germs can lead to bronchitis infection.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs following another infection. As a result, bronchitis symptoms are frequently ignored or brushed off. This can lead to symptoms becoming severe over time. Common symptoms of bronchitis to look out for include:

• Runny nose
• Persistent cough
• Common cold
• Coughing up green phlegm
• Itchy throat
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Wheezing
• Fever

How To Treat Bronchitis

When you are treated for bronchitis, you need to focus on combating the reasons for inflammation and blockage, which are inflamed bronchial tubes. With the intake of such anti-inflammatory drugs, swelling reduces, and movement of air as well as mucus becomes less difficult. In situations in which the disease is bacteria-related, then antibiotics will likely be required to fully clear up the infection in the lungs. Seeking medical care for bronchitis is the only way to determine the underlying cause of the infection and ensure you’re able to treat it effectively.

Walk into AFC Urgent Care Bedford for Same-Day Illness Treatment

If you’re experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms of bronchitis, it is important that you seek medical care. Your medical provider will be able to perform diagnostic testing to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and treat them effectively. At AFC Urgent Care Bedford, our board-certified medical providers are trained to diagnose common conditions such as bronchitis and help you get on the road to recovery. We offer illness care services on a walk-in basis, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!