Symptoms of tracheobronchitis arise due to inflammation of the bronchi and trachea which leads to accumulation of mucus and the narrowing of these channels in the lungs. Characteristic symptoms of tracheobronchitis include:
- Dry cough at first, progressing to cough with thick yellow or greenish phlegm; Feeling of shortness of breath; Chest pain when coughing; Hoarseness; Sore throat; Low fever; Headache; Tiredness.
Tracheobronchitis can occur due to a viral or bacterial infection and can be transmitted from person to person by inhaling droplets of saliva, coughing or sneezing from the infected individual.
The diagnosis of tracheobronchitis is made by assessing the symptoms presented by the patient and through examinations such as chest x-ray or blood test or sputum.
Treatment of tracheobronchitis
The treatment of tracheobronchitis consists of the use of bronchodilator and mucolytic drugs to relieve cough and accumulated mucus. When caused by bacteria, the treatment of tracheobronchitis should be added with an antibiotic to eliminate more quickly the microorganisms that cause the infection.
