Bronchitis when is it not contagious

Viruses and bacteria can also live outside of the body for minutes, hours, or even days, depending on the type. You can catch infectious acute bronchitis by touching a germ harboring object, such as a door knob or a subway pole, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Many cases of acute bronchitis start as the flu, so you may be able prevent it by getting an annual flu shot.

Acute bronchitis caused by bacterial infections may be easily transmitted to people with compromised immune systems or chronic infections. Elderly people and small children may also be susceptible. Acute infectious bronchitis has an incubation period of four to six days.

In the hours leading up to the start of your symptoms, you may feel tired, have a headache, and have a runny nose and sore throat.

The symptoms of acute bronchitis typically start to fade within one to two weeks after onset, with the exception of coughing, which may continue for several weeks. Acute bronchitis usually resolves on its own within several weeks. If you are feeling very ill, you should check in with your doctor regardless of how long you have been sick.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your health history, including if you smoke and if you had a flu shot. They will listen to your breathing through a stethoscope and may want you to have a chest x-ray to help determine what is causing your cough. Repeated episodes of acute bronchitis may also mean you are developing chronic bronchitis and should be reported to your doctor. If your bronchitis was caused by a virus, get plenty of rest and drink fluids.

Your doctor may also recommend an over-the-counter medication to bring down your fever. Acute bronchitis is very common. As uncomfortable as it may make you feel, it usually resolves on its own. They can also become sick if they shake your hand or touch an infected object—whether it be a doorknob, a phone, or any other surface—and then touch their face. The length of time that bronchitis is contagious will depend on the type of bronchitis you have.

If you have acute bronchitis, there are a number of steps you can take to stop the people around you from getting sick. Many of these are similar to what you may already be doing to stay healthy during cold and flu season. For example, you should:. You may also want to consider getting a flu shot, since influenza is often one of the viruses that can lead to the development of acute bronchitis.

Or can you? Thanks to DispatchHealth, you can receive first-rate bronchitis treatment without having to step foot outside your home. Moderate exercise is beneficial for immune system health, but overdoing it may actually be counterproductive, especially during cold and flu season , Gonzales says.

While previous research has shown moderate-intensity exercise can improve immune function and potentially help reduce the risk of getting a viral respiratory infection, prolonged and intense exercise may actually suppress immune system function. The flu virus can live on a surface for up to 48 hours after someone who is infected touches it. To prevent illness from spreading, especially during cold and flu season, be sure to regularly wipe down commonly touched surfaces, like doorknobs and refrigerator handles.

This is especially important if someone in the family has bronchitis or is coming down with a cold or the flu. Smoking can increase your risk for developing bronchitis.

If you smoke, stop, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. When it comes to supplements that may help ward off viral infections, two may be worth considering: vitamin C and zinc. A meta-analysis published in in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews looked at 29 studies and found that vitamin C may reduce the severity and duration of colds in physically active people. As for zinc, there is substantial evidence showing that zinc lozenges may reduce the duration of a cold when taken within 24 hours after symptoms start, says Holguin.

If you have COPD, asthma, or another lung condition, wearing a face mask if you may be exposed to dust or fumes, or if you're going to be near crowds of people, can help reduce your risk of exposure to irritants and viruses. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Mayo Clinic. April 11, Chronic Bronchitis. American Lung Association. Managing and Preventing Acute Bronchitis. March 13, NIH News in Health. May Singh A, Zahn E. Acute Bronchitis. November 15, Acute Bronchitis: Overview. Informed Health Online. September 7, Learn About Acute Bronchitis.

What Causes Acute Bronchitis? Harvard Health Publishing. September Acute Bronchitis: Is It Contagious? March 11, How Flu Spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.