Bronchitis is a common illness that affects people in every demographic. Despite how common the illness is, many people aren’t educated on what going through the illness actually looks like. Knowing what to expect will help you be better prepared to notice early symptoms and get better quickly. 

What Causes Bronchitis? 

Bronchitis comes in two forms, acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is less common and typically affects those exposed to tobacco and first or secondhand smoke. Acute bronchitis is much more common. Acute bronchitis is contagious and it’s typically a result of an upper respiratory infection. The common cold is a type of upper respiratory infection, so any time you have a cold, you’re at risk of bronchitis. The virus travels down the bronchial tubes, causing inflammation that results in a case of bronchitis. 

Bronchitis Symptoms

When you have bronchitis, you can expect to be uncomfortable and irritated by the symptoms. Bronchitis causes persistent and painful coughing. In many cases, the cough is accompanied by a thick mucus that may be yellow or green in color. Persistent coughing can lead to shortness of breath, as well as chest tightness and discomfort. You will likely feel a general sense of fatigue and may even still be battling common cold symptoms like a headache and congestion. 

Treatment Options 

When you have bronchitis, it’s important to take your treatment seriously. If symptoms continue for more than 2 weeks, become so severe they disrupt your ability to sleep, or you feel like you can’t catch your breath, you need medical care. Visiting a local urgent care center is the best way to get same-day care when you need it. Urgent care staff will examine you, discuss your symptoms, and if necessary, run some tests.

Then, you will formulate a treatment plan together. Your treatment plan may include breathing treatments, antibiotics, and prescription strength cough medications. Urgent care staff encourage people to use home remedies to speed up the healing process too! Rest, hydration, moist air, and warm beverages to soothe your throat are all helpful tools. 

Delaying bronchitis treatment could lead to a case of pneumonia, which is very serious. Getting treated early will allow you to heal more quickly and reduce your risk of developing another illness, or even chronic bronchitis. Contact your local urgent care provider today to get familiar with their location and hours of operation. That way when you need treatment, you know where to get it! 

Telemedicine Urgent Care for Bronchitis

At AFC Urgent Care Castle Rock, we are doing everything in our power to ensure patients have clean and accessible urgent care option during the COVID-19 crisis. Thankfully, patients can now book telemedicine urgent care appointments in Castle Rock to help get care remotely. Our providers will work with patients to ensure that they are ready to get the care they need immediately.

If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment, please visit our homepage to get started! We are here to help our communities get through this crisis anyway possible.