Signs And Causes Of Bronchitis | Herbal Remedies For Bronchitis

Designed by Freepik Bronchitis (Latin bronchitis, from bronchus + -itis - inflammation) is a disease related to the respiratory system of the human body, in which bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process. It is one of the frequent reasons for seeking medical help. In most cases the main cause of acute bronchitis  is an infection - viral or bacterial. In such case drugs and antibiotics are required to treat acute bronchitis.   Chronic bronchitis can develop as a complication of acute bronchitis, or as a result of a prolonged effect of non-infectious irritating factors, such as dust. In some cases, bronchitis develops in the bronchial obstruction due to the edema of the mucous membrane, such bronchitis is called obstructive. Treatment of bronchitis depends on the provoking factor, such as the course and form of the disease. Signs and symptoms of Acute Bronchitis Tyrol5 Acute bronchitis usually lasts about 10 days. Like other respiratory diseases,...
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INFLUENZA | THE FLU FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


INFLUENZA | THE FLU

Influenza/The flu

The flu is a common name for influenza, which is an infectious diseases caused by an influenza virus.

INFLUENZA/THE FLU SYMPTOMS
Häggström, Mikael (2014). "Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014
What types of influenza virus exist?

There are three types of influenza viruses A, B and C. These viruses differ somewhat in their structure and cause diseases of different severity. Type A virus causes the most severe forms of influenza (unlike types B and C, which are experienced by a person more easily).


Why is the flu different every year?

The difference between influenza viruses and many other viruses is their structure and, hence, the volatility. Each year, the influenza virus mutates. Small changes in the virus occur every year, as a result, epidemics occur. The majority of world population has already had contact with a closely related strain of the virus, and therefore they already have partial protection (despite this, a person can get sick and the disease can be difficult to overcome). Approximately once in 30-40 years the influenza virus undergoes significant changes to which the human immune system will typically not be ready. At that moment, the flu will appear in especially severe forms. The human body will have to deal with a new type of influenza virus, which it hasn’t contacted with before.


How can you get the flu?

The flu virus is very easily transmitted. The most common route of transmission is airborne. In this case, virus particles are transported by air from an infected person to a healthy person during coughing or sneezing. Also, there are other ways of transmission - for example, infection through a handkerchief or clothing. During coughing, sneezing, talking a sick person, sprinkles the smallest particles of saliva, mucus and sputum, which contain a large number of bacteria. For a short period of time an infected zone with a radius of 2-3 meters is formed around the patient.

Reproduction of viruses happens at an exceptionally high rate: when one virus particle enters the upper respiratory tract, in 8 hours the number of infectious progeny reaches 100, and 1000 by the end of the first day. So the incubation period for influenza is 1-2 days.


What is the difference between a flu and a normal acute respiratory disease?

Acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) and acute respiratory disease (ARI) are collective concepts for infections that are caused by different microorganisms. For the development of ARVI and ARI, adenoviruses and rhinoviruses, which usually cause mild disease, are most often "responsible". Usually, these infections do not lead to serious complications (which are typical for influenza) and death.

Infection with influenza causes the destruction of the ciliated epithelium, which lines the human respiratory tract. The physiological function of the ciliated epithelium is the cleansing of the respiratory tract from dust, bacteria, etc. If the ciliated epithelium is destroyed, it can no longer perform its functions to the full, and bacteria freely enter the lungs. Thus, there is a danger of bacterial superinfection (for example, pneumonia and bronchitis). With "conventional" acute respiratory disease, such destruction does not occur, and therefore the risk of severe complications is much lower than with influenza.


How to understand that you are sick with the flu?
The main symptoms of the flu are as follows:

  • fever
  • chills
  • weakness
  • photophobia
  • joint and muscle pains
  • headache
  • a sore throat
  • dry (in some cases wet) painful cough
  • runny nose

The flu begins sharply. The incubation period usually lasts 1-2 days, but can last up to 5 days. If the flu is without complications, then the acute period of the disease lasts 3-5 days and the final recovery occurs within 5-10 days. However, after the flu, repeated infection with bacteria or other viruses often occurs (because the body is weakened by the disease). After the flu has been carried out for 2-3 weeks, fatigue, weakness, headache, irritability, insomnia etc. can be felt.

Why is the flu dangerous?

The main danger of influenza is the risk of post-flu complications. The most common types of complications are:
  • bacterial pneumonia
  • rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media
  • complications of the cardiovascular system
  • muscle complications
  • exacerbation of chronic diseases
Contrary to the widespread belief that influenza is a common disease that people get sick every year, and nothing bad happens, the flu is a disease that often leads to death. Influenza death rates in the world are 0.01-0.2%, and average annual losses reach tens of thousands of people on a national scale, including mainly children under 1 year of age and older people.

Why is the flu more likely to get sick in the winter?

Diseases are recorded throughout the year, sharply increasing in the cold season, which is facilitated by crowding in the premises and some other seasonal factors. In the Northern Hemisphere, in places with a temperate climate, it appears, mainly in the winter months, to the spring-summer period the incidence decreases. In the southern hemisphere, an outbreak of influenza occurs between May and September. In tropical regions, the disease does not appear seasonally, although the frequency and strength of the infection are very similar to the manifestation of infection in temperate zones. Outbreaks can occur at any time of the year, but most often when weather changes, such as during the monsoon period in India.


I talked with a man who fell ill the next day. What are the chances that I now have the flu (could I get it from him)?

A person becomes infectious at the end of the incubation period. (that is, shortly before he has signs of the disease). The maximum is achieved 1-2 days after the onset of the disease. After the 5th-7th day of illness, the concentration of the virus in the exhaled air drops sharply, and the patient becomes practically harmless to others. The greatest epidemic danger is represented by patients with erased and subclinical forms. Staying on their feet and continuing to lead an active lifestyle, they manage to infect a large number of people. Treatment tips

Location: United States

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