Viral Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a type of bronchitis that lasts for less than 6 weeks. Acute viral bronchitis is a subtype of this condition where the respiratory inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs is caused by viruses.

The virus causes the infection of these tubes and results to the excessive production of mucus. The increased amount of sputum or phlegm in the air passageways causes the patient to experience difficulty in breathing. The phlegm is usually coughed out.

This respiratory disease is associated with upper respiratory tract infection or URI, which is caused by virus. Other such disorders include the common cold, which is the mildest. Those with chronic lung or heart diseases can develop more severe bronchitis that often lead to pneumonia.

With viral bronchitis, the excess mucus produced lessens the normal defense mechanism of the body, particularly the functions of the cilia. These are the small structures in the bronchial tubes that are hair like and are responsible for the excretion of mucus from the lungs.

The more the bronchi are inflamed, the more mucus gets produced. This restricts respiration and often promotes the onset of bacterial infection. The viruses can be transmitted when they are coughed or sneezed out. When you talk to a person with the virus, you may get it when you talk to him face to face. This disease can also be transmitted through drinking from the same glasses and eating using the same utensils.

Viral infection can easily be passed along so it is necessary to be careful if you are the carrier. You can limit the spreading by being conscious about your disease.