Robert Crosby, M.D.

It's common knowledge that colds and the flu can put a damper on our winter activities. But many people aren't aware that acute bronchitis -- another illness common during the cold weather -- also can threaten their health.

While colds usually affect the upper respiratory system, acute bronchitis is an infection or inflammation of the airways. Viruses cause most cases of bronchitis, but bacteria can trigger bronchitis as well.

People with acute bronchitis may experience symptoms that include fever, chest pain, productive coughs, and wheezing or difficulty breathing.

"People should take steps to prevent acute bronchitis and seek treatment if they develop this condition because acute bronchitis can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia," says Robert Crosby, M.D., a pulmonologist at Chalmette Medical Center.

Preventing bronchitis
Anyone can develop bronchitis. But since bronchitis often strikes when the immune system is compromised, people with chronic lung or medical conditions or those who already have a cold or the flu are more likely to get acute bronchitis.

Whether you're healthy or at risk for bronchitis, these tips can help you ward off this common winter illness:

• If you smoke, quit.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Wash your hands frequently to wash away the viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis.
• Improve your overall health. Eat nutritious foods, exercise, take vitamins and get adequate sleep.
• Avoid contact with those who are sick with a cold, the flu or bronchitis.
• Control chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma.
• Ask your doctor if you should get vaccines to protect against the flu and pneumococcal pneumonia.

When to seek treatment
Many people don't seek treatment for acute bronchitis because they expect the symptoms to go away on their own. Unfortunately, people who wait too long to seek treatment can become very ill.

Dr. Crosby recommends that you see your doctor if:

• You don't feel well and you have symptoms of acute bronchitis
• Your symptoms last for more than a few weeks
• You cough up blood
• You have difficulty breathing

"We can often treat acute bronchitis with antibiotics that fight bacterial infections and help prevent pneumonia, and/or asthma medications that open the airways and may relieve patients' symptoms," says Dr. Crosby.

For more information about acute bronchitis, visit www.chalmettemedical.com and click on Health Information in the left column. Under Look It Up on the left side of the next page, click For Older Adults and scroll down to Bronchitis.

9001 Patricia Street, P.O. Box 1727, Chalmette, LA 70044 (504) 620-6000