Is bronchitis contagious and can it be prevented?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which are the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. This condition can be divided into two types, namely acute and chronic. The symptom of both types of bronchitis is a cough that doesn't go away within a certain period of time. With such symptoms, the next question that may arise is whether bronchitis is a contagious disease? Is there anything that can be done as an effort to prevent bronchitis? The reviews below will answer that question.

Is bronchitis a contagious disease?

You may be wondering whether bronchitis is contagious or not. Unfortunately, the answer is not as easy as "yes" or "no".

All explanations regarding bronchitis are always distinguished from the two types, namely acute and chronic. Check out the explanation below!

Acute bronchitis

Bronchitis that is usually contagious is the acute type. This is because the causes of chronic bronchitis are usually viruses or bacteria, which are easily spread.

These germs cause inflammation that triggers bronchitis symptoms, such as coughing, feeling unwell, and shortness of breath. The resulting cough also contains mucus and can change color.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, the germs that cause acute bronchitis are transmitted through sputum droplets produced by people who are sick by coughing, sneezing, or talking. You can catch it by inhaling these droplets.

Apart from that, germs can also be spread through contact with infected objects. Bronchitis can also be transmitted when you touch an object that has the virus and then touch your mouth, eyes or nose.

That is why you need to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough to prevent transmission of bronchitis.

If you are already on treatment for bronchitis, transmission will usually stop 24 hours after starting treatment. If you have bronchitis caused by a virus, antibiotics will not treat your condition. However, traditional medicine may relieve symptoms due to bronchitis.

Viral bronchitis can make you pass the same illness to others for at least a few days, or maybe a week.

Chronic bronchitis

Is chronic bronchitis as contagious as acute bronchitis? The answer is often no.

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammation of the airways. The main cause is exposure to cigarette smoke.

In addition, this condition can also be triggered by various irritants, such as air pollution. Therefore, chronic bronchitis usually doesn't pass from one person to another.

However, if you have chronic bronchitis, you can also get acute bronchitis. In this case, acute bronchitis is a complication of chronic bronchitis.

What are the efforts to prevent bronchitis that can be done?

After you have the answer about whether bronchitis is contagious or not, you are naturally looking for ways to avoid the disease. You can lower your risk of getting bronchitis by taking the following precautions:

1. Stop smoking

One of the main ways to prevent bronchitis is to quit smoking if you are a smoker. If you are not a smoker, never approach cigarettes.

You are also advised to avoid secondhand smoke (secondhand smoke). Quoted from the website of the Department of Health Victoria, Australia, passive smoking increases the risk of respiratory diseases, including bronchitis.

Quitting smoking is also a way to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disorder that consists of chronic bronchitis. Once you have been diagnosed with COPD, it is important to immediately commit to quitting smoking.

The COPD Foundation states that continuing to smoke after being diagnosed with COPD makes you more susceptible to worsening symptoms (exacerbations).

2. Get vaccinated

Another step to prevent bronchitis is to get vaccinated. This is because acute bronchitis is usually caused by the influenza virus.

Routine influenza vaccination is the right choice to prevent acute bronchitis. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, call this vaccination recommended for people with the following criteria:

• Children over 6 years of age
• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Pregnant mother
• People with chronic health conditions

In addition, you can also prevent bronchitis by getting vaccinated against pneumonia. You need to take precautionary steps to avoid complications of bronchitis in the form of pneumonia.

3. Wash hands

Another way to prevent transmission of bronchitis is to wash your hands properly. Washing your hands can prevent viral infections that can cause bronchitis.

You can keep your hands clean by washing them with an alcohol-based cleanser. This method is considered faster than washing your hands with soap and water.

Wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids, or after using the toilet.

4. Using a mask

If you have chronic bronchitis, you might consider wearing a mask at your workplace. This is done to prevent exposure to pollution, dust, or smoke and to provide comfort for you when you are in a crowd.

Masks are also used to prevent you from being exposed to the influenza virus, which often causes acute bronchitis. The CDC says that if you experience flu symptoms, it's best to stay at home until the symptoms disappear. Check for symptoms of your condition here.

However, if you are required to leave the house, you are advised to wear a mask to prevent transmission of bronchitis to other people.