In chronic bronchitis patients there may be a persistent lack of oxygen leading to features of cyanosis (blue lips and nails) and clubbing (enlargement of the tips of the fingers), swelling of the legs, or severe breathlessness.
When to See Your Doctor. On average, the symptoms of acute bronchitis last only a couple of weeks. However, if you have a cough that won't go away, or if you get sick with bronchitis frequently, it may be the sign of a more serious disease and you should visit your doctor.
Contact your GP practice if:
you feel confused, disorientated or drowsy. you have chest pain or difficulty breathing. you cough up blood or blood-stained phlegm. your skin or lips develop a blue tinge (cyanosis)
Red flags that prompt referral include severe systemic illness, respiratory distress, hemoptysis, and altered level of consciousness.
You should contact our ER near you if you experience the following symptoms while suffering from a bronchitis infection: If your cough persists for over three weeks. If your fever is above 100.4 F. I if you are having difficulties breathing.
The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and dust or toxic gases in the environment or workplace also can contribute to the condition.
Examples of red-flag symptoms in the older adult include but are not limited to pain following a fall or other trauma, fever, sudden unexplained weight loss, acute onset of severe pain, new-onset weakness or sensory loss, loss of bowel or bladder function, jaw claudication, new headaches, bone pain in a patient with a ...
Fast breathing, or taking lots of rapid, shallow breaths. Fast heart rate. Coughing that produces phlegm. Blue fingernails or blue tone to the skin or lips.
See a GP if:
you feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse. you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus. you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks. you're pregnant.
Your GP should be able to diagnose you based on your symptoms. They will also listen to your chest using a stethoscope (a medical instrument used to listen to the heart and lungs). In some cases, further tests – such as a chest X-ray, breathing tests and testing phlegm or blood samples – may be necessary.
If you have a bacterial chest infection, you should start to feel better 24 to 48 hours after starting on antibiotics. You may have a cough for days or weeks. For other types of chest infections, the recovery is more gradual. You may feel weak for some time and need a longer period of bed rest.
Symptoms of acute bronchitis typically start with a runny nose, sore throat, productive cough, and low-grade fever. Three or four days later, a dry, hacking cough may develop. Most cases of acute bronchitis last between three and 10 days.
It will usually begin to clear up in a week or two, but you may have a cough for three weeks. Chronic bronchitis is caused by environmental irritants. It lasts for at least three months and recurs yearly. It is a long-term condition that needs ongoing treatment.
Certain symptoms, such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, sudden and debilitating headache, or dizziness or weakness that doesn't go away, could be indications of potentially serious or life-threatening conditions.
Some of the “red flags” are: The patient is from out of state. The patient requests a specific drug. The patient states that an alternative drug does not work.
Physical, emotional, and mental abuse are undeniable red flags in any relationship. Physical abuse is easier to pick up. But emotional and mental abuse can be just as damaging in the long run. And just like physical abuse, mental and emotional abuse can cause PTSD.
A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
Avoid dust, chemical fumes, smoke from other people, and anything else that can bother your lungs. If you can't avoid these things, try wearing a mask. Wear a mask if cold air triggers your cough or makes you short of breath.
A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.
Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. You should call your doctor if: You continue to wheeze and cough for more than 2 weeks, especially at night when you lie down or when you are active. You continue to cough for more than 2 weeks and have a bad-tasting fluid come up into your mouth.