Winter brings with it a higher chance of suffering from various illnesses, including bronchitis, which often raises the question of whether antibiotics are essential for recovery. It’s important to differentiate between viral and bacterial bronchitis before treating it with antibiotics.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
Bronchitis typically presents symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, poor appetite, fever, chills or sweats, and a productive or dry cough. It arises from exposure to infected air, surfaces, or people.
As bacteria rapidly penetrate the mucosa and spread across the body, fatigue is the main symptom of viral infections.
Bronchitis: Viral or Bacterial?
Bronchitis can make you feel awful, and it’s essential to understand what kind of bronchitis you have before treating it. For virus-induced bronchitis, antibiotics have no effect. However, they may be prescribed for bacterial bronchitis.
Overprescription of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, which is a significant health concern. Judicious prescription of antibiotics should be practiced by medical professionals to prevent contributing to this problem.
Treating Bronchitis
A common cough suppressant recommended is Delsym (dextromethorphan polystyrex). Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate) is another prescription jelly cap often used for non-drowsy cough suppression.
The specific treatment for bronchitis depends on its cause, and whether it’s due to a viral or bacterial infection. The color of sputum can be a predictor of bacterial infections, especially for those with pre-existing lung diseases. For the rest of the population without lung diseases, colored sputum may not have much predictive value in diagnosing bacterial bronchitis.
To Prescribe Antibiotics or Not
The American Academy of Family Physicians states that 95% of bronchitis cases are caused by viral infections and that antibiotics have limited efficacy. However, patients are often keen to receive antibiotics for treating bronchitis.
Doctors need to balance the expectations of patients without compromising their optimal recovery. A thorough explanation of the viral progression, along with an understanding of how antibiotics affect various infections, can help in making the right treatment decision. A prescription for antibiotic treatment can be offered when there are symptoms indicating worsening bronchitis or signs of pneumonia.
Several antibiotics are beneficial for patients, including doxycycline, erythromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra). Azithromycin (Z-pack) is a popular choice for treating community-acquired pneumonia but is less effective for bronchitis.
Proper consultation with a medical professional will guide you to the best course of action, keeping in mind the long-term implications of antibiotic misuse.
Staying informed about the types of bronchitis and their suitable treatments helps create a more productive conversation with healthcare providers and prevents unnecessary antibiotic use.
