I went to the doctors , i have Acute Bronchitis, Why antibiotics for that , and not the common cold?

Answer 1

Yahoo answers is not the place to get good answers on health issues. It is almost always better to seek information from reliable health websites or ideally your doctor. The amount of false information never ceases to amaze me. However the sad part is, so called health care professionals such as nurses, resipiratory therapists etc.. are invovled in disseminating a lot of false information as is exemplified in the answers above.

Both acute bronchitis and the common cold are caused by VIRUSES! The reason doctors tend to treat acute bronchitits with antibiotics is because secondary infection is more common and potentially more serious. By the way bronchitis is NOT an infection of the lungs, that would be called pneumonia. Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi or the large airways that transmit air to the lungs.

Here are some quotes from reliable websites;

www.familydoctor.org
"What causes acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by viruses that attack the lining of the bronchial tree and cause infection. As your body fights back against these viruses, more swelling occurs and more mucus is made. It takes time for your body to kill the viruses and heal the damage to your bronchial tubes.

In most cases, the same viruses that cause colds cause acute bronchitis. Research has shown that bacterial infection is a much less common cause of bronchitis than we used to think. Very rarely, an infection caused by a fungus can cause acute bronchitis.

from www.emedicine.com ;
"Causes: Acute bronchitis generally is caused by respiratory infections; approximately 90% are viral in origin, 10% are bacterial. "

from the Journal of the American Association of Family Physicians
" Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection.9 In patients younger than one year, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and coronavirus are the most common isolates. In patients one to 10 years of age, parainfluenza virus, enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus predominate. In patients older than 10 years, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus are most frequent.

Parainfluenza virus, enterovirus, and rhinovirus infections most commonly occur in the fall. Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus infections are most frequent in the winter and spring."

From webmd;

What causes acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. It is more common during the winter months, and you often develop it after having an upper respiratory tract illness such as influenza (flu) or a cold. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may be a cause, especially in adults older than 65. Acute bronchitis is caused by bacteria about 10% of the time.1

Acute bronchitis can also be caused by exposure to smoke, chemicals, or air pollution, all of which can irritate the bronchial tubes, or it can develop from accidentally inhaling (aspirating) food, vomit, or mucous material.

Please, please be careful about what you post in the health forums. Some people actually take the answers seriously.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Because Bronchitis is a bacterial infection and the cold is just a mere virus. Antibiotics only work on bacteria not viruses.

Answer 4

The common cold is a viral infection, the antibiotic will have no effect on the cold An anti biotic will treat the bronchitis because it is a bacterial infection. They are two different kinds of infections. I hope this clears it up, and you are well again soon.

Answer 5

I once suffered from Chronic Bronchitis. I would suffer sometimes 3 to 4 times per year! Usually when there was a major change in the pressure outside (I live in the north, and the temperature spikes and dips do wonders to chronic sufferers of bronchitis!). Each time I would get horrible hacking coughs, hoarking up green phlegm..it was so frustrating!

The key to getting rid of your bronchitis is to find a way to completely eliminate the germs that are causing all the phlegm and irritation leading to your hoarking cough and heavy breathing. Keep reading to learn how to do kill these germs!!

This page it will change your life and make you feel 100% better within just 24 hours!

Answer 6

Bronchitis is frequently caused by a bacterial infection, unlike a cold which is caused by a virus. Antibiotics do nothing for a virus.

Answer 7

Bronchitis is a bacterial infection and so responds to antibiotics. The common cold is a viral infection, which wont respond to antibiotics.

Answer 8

A cold is a virus. And bronchitis is a infection cause by the cold. So, antibiotics would not cure a virus. But, they will destroy the infection.

Answer 9

Bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection and a cold is caused by a virus. Antibiotics are ineffective to a virus.

Answer 10

Why are you on the computer and not in bed? You must feel like a truck hit you. Read the information here and get yourself some hot chicken soup and either cuddle up on the couch or go to bed. I have had bronchitis never acute but still you have to be feeling really bad. Get well soon wishes.