 | Chest infection or bronchitis
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 | | Bronchitis is an infection in the lungs caused either by a virus or a bacterium. The infection causes inflammation of the lung tissue. In general, viral and atypical bacterial infections will have either a dry cough, or a cough with white or light-yellow phlegm, while traditional bacteria will result in a cough with dark yellow or green phlegm. Untreated, bacterial Bronchitis can turn into pneumonia. |
 | Cough
Phlegm
Fever
Chest pain worsens with deep breaths or coughs |
 | Viral -- adenovirus, Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, paraInfluenza, and others
Atypical bacteria (e.g., Mycoplasma)
Bacterial
Fungi |
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- Upper airway rhonchi (i.e., continuous sound produced in the throat; snorelike)
- Test may also include a chest X-Ray, Pulmonary function tests, blood count, and sputum culture.
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 | Viral
Symptomatic treatment only
Atypical bacteria -- Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Biaxin, Levaquin
Bacterial -- many antibiotics work (some recommended are Ceftin, Augmentin, Levaquin)
Drink plenty of fluids, rest, stop smoking, and use vaporizers. These are all part of effective therapy plans. Bronchodilators, in the form of inhalers (aerosolized medications), may be prescribed. Steroid inhalers may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the airways. |
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