Bronchitis

If you think that you are suffering from bronchitis, the last thing you do is wait for weeks to see a doctor.

Our doctors are available from 8 in the morning till 8 in the evening. They will help in the diagnosis of your symptoms and can provide you with appropriate treatment.

A common cold's initial symptoms are very similar to those of bronchiolitis:

• A blocked nose
  
  
• A runny nose
  
  
• A cough
  
  
• A slightly high temperature

After that, other symptoms may begin to appear:

• Fast breathing or irregular breathing
  
  
• Being irritable and not settling
  
  
• Flaring nostrils
  
  
• Wheezing
  
  
• Feeling sick after eating or drinking or having difficulty eating or drinking

Like other viruses, acute bronchitis will disappear independently with the doctor's consultation. However, there are remedies an infected person can try to speed up the healing process, such as avoiding a smoky environment, getting plenty of rest and sleep and keeping yourself hydrated. Doctors can also prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to treat your bronchitis.

Moreover, chronic bronchitis cannot be cured. A person suffering from chronic bronchitis can only improve symptoms and make it less effective by eating healthy food and exercising regularly.

If you feel that the symptoms you are experiencing are severe, our doctors can provide you with further consultation for treatment and tests such as a mucus sample or an X-ray. This is done to determine a more severe condition, such as pneumonia.

People should not ignore bronchitis symptoms, so get a consultation from our experienced general physicians by booking an appointment. Our doctors can provide you with timely help and a place that is convenient for you.

In certain instances, bronchiolitis can result in significant symptoms that necessitate immediate medical intervention. If your infant is experiencing the following symptoms, you must contact emergency services:

• Displays significant breathing difficulties - this could involve evident struggles to inhale or visible exhaustion from the effort to breathe.
  
  
• Exhibits abdominal breathing patterns, potentially accompanied by grunting sounds and noticeable inward movement of the rib cage muscles.
  
  
• Breathes at a rate exceeding 60 breaths per minute.
  
  
• Experiences pauses of 5 to 10 seconds or longer between breaths or even ceases breathing for intervals surpassing 10 seconds.
  
  
• Presents with a pallid, damp, or sweaty complexion.
  
  
• Shows bluish discolouration on the lips, beneath the tongue, or in the nails and skin; a thorough examination inside the mouth is recommended.
  
  
• Demonstrates an inability to awaken, extreme drowsiness, or struggles to remain alert.

Bronchitis also makes it difficult to eat because it causes dehydration.

If you suspect that a child or infant may be dehydrated, seek immediate medical attention by taking them to the emergency room or scheduling an urgent appointment with a general practitioner if they display any of the following symptoms:

• Reduced wet nappies
  
  
• If they have a sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on their head)
  
  
• Their mouth is dry
  
  
• Have no tears when they cry (or very few)
  
  
• Their hands and feet are cold and mottled
  
  
• Their urine is dark yellow
  
  
• Floppiness
  
  
• Drinking less than 50% of their regular intake
  
  
• Drowsiness
  
  
• A rapid heartbeat or breathing
• Irritability

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the causative agent for bronchiolitis, which shares similarities with common cold symptoms. However, RSV infection can progress to bronchiolitis in infants and young children.

Children and babies may be more susceptible to bronchiolitis based on certain factors. These factors include:

• In the case of bottle feeding instead of breastfeeding.
  
  
• Being born prematurely.
  
  
• Being born with a heart or lung ailment.
  
  
• Exposure to surroundings where cigarette smoke is present.
  
  
• Possessing a compromised immune system.
  
  
• Being near other individuals infected with the virus, including school-age children or adults. This includes situations where the child or infant attends nursery school.