Bronchitis

Definition


According to the MayoClinic, Bronchitis is a condition that makes it hard for you to breathe. It makes your throat become irritated and it will swell, which can interfere with your breathing. Medline Plus's website says, even once you get rid of Bronchitis you can have a cough for a few days afterwards.


How The Virus Works


Bronchitis is caused by the same virus that causes a cold, so they have similar symptoms, and the virus attacks the cell in the same way. According to Microbe Magic, the viruses get into your body when someone sneezes near you, and the virus immediately looks for a host: one of your cells. They use the cell to make copies of themselves, which they send out into your body. Your white blood cells are able to fend off these copies, however, and they can get rid of them. Peer's Website says that there are three main types of white blood cells. About 60% of white blood cells are neutrophil. They fight invaders, like the Bronchitis virus, by eating bacteria and other unknown matter. Another white blood cell is lymphocyte. T-type and B-types are two kinds of lymphocyte cells. The B-type is created in your bone marrow, and it makes circling antibodies. The T-type kills any cells that are unknown and uses chemicals to kill. The third type of white blood cell is the T-cell. They can distinct surface proteins and intruder cells, and kill the cells that are invading.


Symptoms may include:

  • coughing
  • mild fever 
  • fatigue
  • common cold
  • wheezing 
  • hoarseness
  • dull pain in the chest
  • mucus which can be clear, white, yellowish-grey, or green in color
  • hard time breathing
Treatment

According to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website, the best way to get rid of or ease Bronchitis is to find a way to help your breathing. Drinking lots of fluids is good to help with a swollen throat. Medicine is usually not the answer for Bronchitis; rest is proven to be more efficient. Steam can help ease wheezing, and mucus can be loosened from a humidifier. If Bronchitis is causing a very bad cough, your doctor may recommend a medicine for the cough, not for Bronchitis itself.

Prevention

Try not to inhale smoke, toxic fumes, or any pollution.

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Normal cells Infected cells Inflamed Throat Cell