Complications
Pneumonia can develop from either acute or chronic bronchitis. If you have chronic bronchitis, you are susceptible to recurrent respiratory infections. You may also develop:
Calling your health care provider
Call your doctor if:
- You are coughing up blood.
- You have a high fever or shaking chills.
- You have a low-grade fever for three or more days.
- You have thick, greenish mucus, especially if it has a bad smell.
- You feel short of breath or have chest pain.
- You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart or lung disease.
- You have a cough most days of the month or you have a frequently recurring cough.
Prevention
- Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other infections.
- DO NOT smoke.
- Get an annual flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine as directed by your doctor.
- Minimize exposure to air pollutants.
References
Murray JF, Nadel JA. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2000; 1215-1216.
Macfarlane J, Holmes W, Gard P, Thornhill D, Macfarlane R, Hubbard R. Providing patient information reduces antibiotic use in acute bronchitis. Evidence-based Healthcare. 2002; 6(3): 130.
Radon K. Passive smoke exposure: a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and asthma in adults? Chest. 2002; 122(3): 1086-1090.
GOLD Scientific Committee. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: GOLD Executive Summary updated 2006.
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