K.N.O.W. Home Health - ACUTE BRONCHITIS

ACUTE BRONCHITIS

🫁 Patient Education: Acute Bronchitis

🧾 What Is Acute Bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is a short-term illness that happens when the airways in your lungs get swollen and filled with mucus. These airways are called bronchi, and they help you breathe. When they are irritated, you cough a lot and may feel tired or have chest discomfort. This illness usually lasts a few days to a few weeks.

😷 What Causes Acute Bronchitis?

Most of the time, acute bronchitis is caused by:

A virus (like the cold or flu)
Breathing in dust, smoke, or pollution
Bacteria (less common)
Being around someone who is sick

🩺 What Are the Symptoms?

Cough that lasts several days or weeks
Mucus (phlegm) that is clear, yellow, or green
Sore throat
Mild fever or chills
Feeling very tired
Chest discomfort
Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
Shortness of breath

💊 How Is It Treated?

Most cases go away on their own, but treatment helps you feel better:

Rest – Your body needs time to heal.
Drink plenty of fluids – Water helps thin the mucus.
Use a humidifier – Moist air helps breathing.
Cough medicine – Only if your doctor says it's okay.
Inhalers – If you are wheezing or short of breath.
Pain relievers – Like Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever or aches.
Antibiotics – Only if it’s caused by bacteria (most cases are viral and don’t need them).

🍲 What Should I Eat?

Drink lots of water and warm fluids like tea or broth.
Eat healthy, light meals that give you energy.
Avoid dairy if it makes your mucus worse.
Warm soups may help with sore throat and mucus.

⚠️ Special Precautions or Considerations

Do not smoke and stay away from smoke or fumes.
Wash your hands often to avoid spreading germs.
Stay home and rest until you’re no longer coughing a lot.
Avoid contact with babies, older people, or those who are very sick.
Do not share drinks, food, or utensils with others.

🛡️ How to Prevent Bronchitis

Get your flu shot every year.
Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
Stay away from people who are coughing or sick.
Wash your hands before eating or touching your face.
Keep your immune system strong with rest, healthy food, and exercise.

📞 When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call if you:

Have a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
Start to cough up thick, yellow, green, or bloody mucus
Have a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) for more than 2–3 days
Feel short of breath or very tired
Have chest pain when breathing or coughing
Are not getting better after a few days

🚨 When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER)

Go to the ER if you:

Cannot breathe well or gasp for air
Have blue lips or fingers
Feel dizzy, weak, or confused
Have chest pain that feels like pressure
Have a very high fever with shaking chills

ℹ️ Other Helpful Tips

Coughing may last even after the infection is gone.
Do not demand antibiotics unless your doctor says you need them.
Be patient—it takes time to get better.

✅ Patient homework/ASSESSMENT

True or False: Acute bronchitis is a short-term illness that affects the lungs.
True or False: Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by bacteria.
True or False: A cough that lasts a few days or weeks is normal with acute bronchitis.
True or False: You should drink a lot of fluids to help your body heal.
True o False: Smoking can help your lungs feel better during bronchitis.
True or False: Using a humidifier can help you breathe easier.
True or False: You should use someone else’s medicine if you have the same symptoms.
True or False: Resting helps your body fight off bronchitis.
True or False: It’s okay to go out and be around others while coughing a lot.
True or False: Antibiotics are not always needed for acute bronchitis.
True or False: You should eat greasy and fried food to get your energy back.
True or False: Warm soup and tea can soothe your throat and help with mucus.
True or False: You should call your doctor if your fever lasts more than 2–3 days.
True or False: A blue color in your lips or fingers means go to the emergency room.
True or False: Wheezing and chest discomfort are common symptoms of bronchitis.
True or False: You should keep going to school or work no matter how sick you feel.
True or False: Washing your hands can help prevent bronchitis.
True or False: You can share cups and forks with others if you feel okay.
True or False: A high fever and chest pain could mean something more serious.
True or False: You might still have a cough even after your infection is gone.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

When did your cough and other symptoms, such as wheezing or chest discomfort, start, and how have they changed over time?

Are you experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue, or fever, and how do these symptoms affect your daily activities?

Have you taken any medications, such as cough medicine, inhalers, or antibiotics, and how effective have they been in relieving your symptoms?

Are you aware of ways to prevent worsening of your condition, such as avoiding smoke, staying hydrated, and resting, and are you able to follow these recommendations at home?

✅ Answer Key with Explanations

True – Acute bronchitis is short-term and affects the lungs.
False – Most cases are caused by viruses, not bacteria.
True – A cough can last for several days or even weeks.
True – Fluids help thin the mucus and keep your body hydrated.
False – Smoking makes bronchitis worse and should be avoided.
True – A humidifier adds moisture to the air and can ease breathing.
False – Never use someone else’s medicine; it could be harmful.
True – Rest is one of the best ways to recover.
False – Stay home to avoid spreading germs and to get rest.
True – Antibiotics are only used if a doctor thinks it's a bacterial infection.
False – Greasy food can make you feel worse. Choose healthy foods.
True – Warm fluids help soothe the throat and loosen mucus.
True – A fever that doesn’t go away should be reported to your doctor.
True – Blue lips or fingers are signs of low oxygen—go to the ER.
True – Chest discomfort and wheezing are symptoms of bronchitis.
False – You should rest and avoid going out when you are very sick.
True – Hand washing is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs.
False – Sharing cups and utensils spreads illness.
True – These could be signs of pneumonia or something serious.
True – It’s common for a cough to last after you’ve recovered.