Bronchitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the large airways in the lungs known as the bronchi. It usually starts as a cold with a cough an progresses to a nasty cough and a scratchy feeling in the lungs when you try to take anything but a shallow breath. While there are many ways to treat bronchitis, antibiotics won’t work because it is not a bacterial infection.

You should see your doctor if you suspect you have viral bronchitis, because it could be bacterial. If it is bacterial you will need antibiotics, but if it is viral then antibiotics will not help. Your doctor will listen to you breathe with a stethoscope, check your neck glands for swelling, and perform a check of your throat and sinuses. If they see evidence of yellow mucus then it is probably not viral and they will prescribe antibiotics for you.

The two different kinds of bronchitis are chronic and acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis develops usually after a cold or cough that has been in the body for some time and the body has not been able to fight it off or given enough rest to recover. The cough is accompanied by pain, weakness, fever, fatigue and headache. Bronchitis can progress to pneumonia if not treated. Chronic bronchitis lung is usually caused by tobacco, smoke or other irritants. It is a persistent condition that can lead to permanent lung damage. In both conditions it is common for the sufferer to cough up phlegmy discharges.

There are two different types of coughs associated with bronchitis. If you have a lot of congestion you may have a wet cough; with this type of cough, while uncomfortable, is necessary to get any mucous and liquid out of your lungs. Humidity is very effective bronchitis treatment, it helps to break up the mucous, making it easier to get it out of your lungs. Try standing under a hot, steamy shower for ten to fifteen minutes. Make sure you dry yourself and wrap up good when you get out. A vaporizer, either steam or cool mist, placed in your bedroom at night will help you to sleep better too. Put some eucalyptus oil in the vaporizer as an expectorant to help get rid of the phlegm in your chest.

Do antibiotics work for either kind of bronchitis lung? No. Almost all cases of bronchitis are viral infections so antibiotics do not do anything to help cure bronchitis. Antibiotics are commonly still prescribed for bronchitis even though they can actually do more harm than good. Rest and low activity are recommended to alleviate symptoms. Usually treating the symptoms is all that can be done to help a person feel better untill the immune system can fight it off. It is very important to treat bronchitis lung as it can develp into pneumonia.

People who want to use pelargonium should try Bronovil. The South African flower is Bronovils key ingredient is the South African geranium mentioned above. Pelargonium works by preventing viruses from attaching to cells in the body. This herb boosts the bodys immune system, which makes it useful for older people and people suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Learn more about Bronchitis. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Bronchitis: the Respiratory Problem.