Many are plagued with the question 'is bronchitis contagious?' Bronchitis is an infection affecting the mucus membranes of the bronchioles in the lungs. They cause inflammation and mucus collection, thereby resulting in breathing problems. Read more to find out if bronchitis is contagious... Before we head into answering the question, 'is bronchitis contagious?' let's have a quick look at what bronchitis is. When the swelling of the windpipe spreads to the lungs and causes the bronchial tubes to get irritated and inflamed the condition is called bronchitis. The irritation caused results in mucus formation in the air passages and blocks its flow, thereby conducing to breathing problems. Brochitis actually starts as a cold and is triggered by the same virus that spearheads a cold such as influenza, rhinoviruses and adenoviruses. The infection spreads from the windpipe to the network of bronchioles in the lungs and cause them to swell. Heavy mucus secretion develops causing the standard bronchitis cough. However, bronchitis can also be caused by bacteria (eg: Mycoplasma pneumoniae), chemical pollutants and smoking. Read more on bacterial bronchitis.

Bronchitis Types

There are two types of bronchitis that can inflict a person. They are:

Acute Bronchitis
This type of bronchitis takes place immediately after an infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as common cold or influenza. However, it may also begin with an infection. Acute bronchitis symptoms are characterized by cough and may or may not be accompanied by sputum or mucus. Pain in the middle of the chest and fever with breathing difficulties are also seen. Read more on acute bronchitis symptoms.

Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, does not have any microorganism that can be specifically pointed out as the causative factor. Smoking and inhalation of environmental pollutants are believed to be the triggering factors of this type of bronchitis. In this type excessive mucus secretion in the bronchi is seen which lasts three or more months and recurs every year. Such people are vulnerable to bacterial infections like pneumonia. The breathing problems faced in this type are far severe as compared to the former.

Is Bronchitis Contagious

Bronchitis is contagious. In fact its extremely contagious. But, if bronchitis means swelling of the bronchioles, then how can one person's swollen bronchioles cause another person's bronchioles to swell. The truth of the matter is that as the bacteria spreads it gets emitted into the surrounding air via coughing or sneezing. By sneezing and coughing, infected globules spread into the environment. People coming in contact with these infected globules can contract the infection. Even touching objects infected with these globules can spearhead infections in others. Read more on bronchitis symptoms: is bronchitis contagious?

However, how long is bronchitis contagious? As far as the information received from medical experts, the duration of time during which bronchitis is contagious depends on the cause and type of bronchitis the person is infected with. There is no specific time that can be jotted to state how long it can be contagious. Moreover, since there are two forms of bronchitis, we even tend to ask the question is acute bronchitis contagious or is chronic bronchitis contagious? Both these types of bronchitis are contagious and since even healthy people can be inflicted, precautionary measures should be taken so as to avoid spreading this respiratory infection to others. Read more on how long is bronchitis contagious.

Precautionary measures to avoid spread of bronchitis include washing hands before and after every meal and washroom visit, and covering the mouth and nose with a clean handkerchief while coughing and sneezing. The person suffering from bronchitis should consult a medical specialist and take medication to subside the infection as soon as possible, as negligence can lead to pneumonia. One can also use some herbal remedies to get rid of bronchitis in its initial stages. These treatments should be coupled with plenty of bed rest, drinking lots of water and cutting down on smoking.

Read more on:

• Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis
• Bronchitis Remedies
• How to Prevent Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that can conduce to several other severe respiratory infections, which is why it is important to prevent it. Quitting smoking, wearing masks while traveling in polluted areas, boosting up your immune system, etc are some of the ways of preventing bronchitis. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure! Hope this article on 'is bronchitis contagious' is helpful and informative!