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Bronchitis is a common medical condition that people of all ages face, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously. Ignoring the symptoms of bronchitis and not taking it seriously can lead to other medical conditions and in severe cases, hospitalization. The short answer is yes, bronchitis can absolutely be a serious medical condition, but let’s take a closer look to understand why!
Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is bronchitis that occurs as a result of an upper respiratory infection. In many cases, the common cold will start to resolve, only to realize it caused you to catch bronchitis too. Acute bronchitis often has the ability to resolve on its own, but symptom management is important to keep you comfortable while your immune system fights off the illness. Breathing moist air from a humidifier, drinking warm tea, and over the counter cough medications are typically the first line of defense against chronic bronchitis.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis refers to bronchitis that’s recurring and not just caused by an upper respiratory infection. Chronic bronchitis can be debilitating if it isn’t managed. Once chronic bronchitis is diagnosed, it will require frequent monitoring to find a treatment plan that works for you. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the occurrence of bronchitis in chronic sufferers.
Diagnosing and Treating Bronchitis
If you suffer from recurrent cases of bronchitis or if your bronchitis symptoms aren’t resolving on their own after 7-10 days, it’s important to seek professional treatment. Bronchitis left untreated can turn into pneumonia and make it difficult to breathe. Bronchitis is diagnosed by a physical evaluation and reviewing your symptom history. Treatment may include antibiotics, breathing treatments, and cough medication to make your symptoms more manageable. If you’re suffering from acute bronchitis and your symptoms are too severe you should seek treatment even if it hasn’t been 7-10 days. It’s best to stay home from work or school until your bronchitis can be diagnosed and treated to ensure your body has time to heal and to avoid getting those around you sick!
Your bronchitis can be easily diagnosed and treated by a local urgent care provider. Visit a local urgent care center quickly if you believe you’re suffering from bronchitis to ensure you get the treatment you need, when you need it. Flexible scheduling, competitive pricing, and experienced staff make choosing urgent care easier than ever!
Don’t wait for urgent care treatment, just simply visit via our walk-in clinic to get started!
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