We've all cringed at the sight of someone coughing in a public place without covering their mouth. One of the many illnesses that can be acquired through the air is acute bronchitis, an infection in which the bronchial tubes, carriers of air to the lungs, become inflamed.
The consequences of this inflammation are the all-too-familiar cough with mucus, chest pain and discomfort, shortness of breath, and sometimes a mild fever. The infection usually lasts from
Germs lurking in the air you breathe and on the unwashed hands you shake aren't the only sources of acute bronchitis risk. Exposure to cigarette smoke (first and second hand), dust, fumes, chemical vapors, and other air pollutants all put the lungs at risk for infection, especially in the elderly, infants, and young children. The American Lung Association suggests the following to help prevent acute bronchitis:
· Quit smoking
· Wear a mask to protect your nose and mouth when working with lung irritants such as paint, varnish, dust, and other vapors
· Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
· Get a yearly flu shot, and ask your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine