Allergy season is among us and a lot of folks are wondering if allergies can lead to more severe problems like Bronchitis or even pneumonia.
KETK spoke with Dr. Bryan Lowery at the Trinity Clinic who says it's not impossible. Allergies can cause some post nasal drip which leads to consistent cough called allergic bronchitis or acute Bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis is the sudden inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree, which comprises the trachea, or windpipe. It is typically associated with a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URI), such as the common cold, and is usually mild. In patients with chronic lung or heart disease, acute bronchitis is more severe, and can become chronic (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) and progress to pneumonia.
People who have chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to bacterial infections of the airway and lungs, like pneumonia. (In some people with chronic bronchitis, the airway becomes permanently infected with bacteria.) Pneumonia is more common among smokers and people who are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Smoking is the cause of more than 80% of all cases of chronic bronchitis. People who smoke also have a much harder time recovering from acute bronchitis and other respiratory infections.
Bronchitis affects the upper airways while pneumonia affects the lungs. Doctors tell KETK usually pneumonia is more severe and can even lead to hospitalization so it's important to see a physician right away.
To prevent any type of infection, the best way to do it is to wash your hands and cover your cough. Also it's important to stay home...especially if you have fever.
Children with fever should remain at home at least 24 hours after their fever subsides so as not to spread to other children.
If you don't smoke, don't ever start smoking — and if you do smoke, try to quit or cut down.
Try to avoid being around smokers because even secondhand smoke can make you more susceptible to viral infections and increase congestion in your airway.
Also, be sure to get plenty of rest and eat right so that your body can fight off any illnesses that you come in contact with.
