Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Tevfik Özlü pointed out that acute bronchitis is becoming widespread and made recommendations. Prof. Dr. Özlü stated that the first symptoms of acute bronchitis are sore throat, mild fever and runny nose, but as the infection spreads to the bronchi, chest pain and severe cough occur. Özlü stated that acute bronchitis is a mild and treatable disease and warned patients to consult a physician.
‘INFECTION IS NOT LIMITED TO THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACTS’
Prof. Dr. Özlü stated that acute bronchitis is a disease caused by respiratory viruses and said, “It is a disease that we see very frequently these days. Generally, patients describe it as follows; ‘First of all, I had a pain in my throat, I had a slight fever, a runny nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, and a cough. They say, “It has been in my chest for 2-3 days. I feel a pain when I breathe. It feels like there is a bush in my chest, it gets stuck there when I breathe,” because this is actually the truth. “Bronchitis is an infectious disease caused by respiratory viruses. This infection is not limited to the upper respiratory tract, but also to our lower respiratory tract and bronchi,” he said.
‘THE MOST OBVIOUS SYMPTOM IS COUGH’
Emphasizing that the most prominent symptom of acute bronchitis is cough, Prof. Dr. Tevfik Özlü said, “It may be in the form of a dry cough or a cough with phlegm. Sometimes wheezing and shortness of breath may be experienced. The most disturbing symptom is persistent cough. Generally, high fever does not cause any discomfort, it is a mild condition. But sometimes bacterial infections can be added to it. High fever, “Weakness and resentment may occur,” he said.
‘IT MAY PRESENT WITH SEVERE SYMPTOMS
Stating that bronchitis is generally a mild disease, but if the symptoms increase, a doctor should be consulted, Özlü said, “If there is an underlying chronic disease; a lung disease such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), acute exacerbation of the chronic disease may accompany this and the general Acute bronchitis may present itself with severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, weakness, fatigue, and high fever, or if there is an underlying chronic disease and there is an exacerbation of the symptoms, then consult a physician. “I would like to say that it is generally a mild and treatable disease,” he said.
DHA