Is Bronchitis Contagious? Important Things Seniors Need to Know

Is bronchitis contagious?

Yes, bronchitis can be contagious. If you or someone you know has the acute type of bronchitis, then that is highly contagious. 

Acute bronchitis is caused by the same virus that causes colds and flu making them highly contagious. 

You can also catch bronchitis when someone with the infection sneezes,  talks, or coughs

If an elderly person gets sick of acute bronchitis, the infection usually clears up in a few days.

Bronchitis in seniors can be particularly concerning due to their weak immune system.

While acute bronchitis usually resolves on its own within a few days, chronic bronchitis in the elderly is more serious and can lead to complications. 

Seniors may experience a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue. 

Bronchitis in seniors often presents with subtle symptoms but can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even hospitalization if not addressed early. 

Many older adults take the warning signs for granted assuming that these are merely seasonal but for seniors, bronchitis can be far more serious.

Causes of acute bronchitis

•  Viral infection. Acute bronchitis can be caused by a virus, the same virus that causes colds and flu.

• Bacterial infection. Bronchitis caused by bacteria is less common, but some cases can be caused by bacterial infection especially if the illness worsens after a few days.

• Irritants. Inhaling smoke, fumes, dust, or air pollutants can cause inflammation of the airways.

• Exposure to cold air. Cold air can aggravate respiratory symptoms especially in vulnerable seniors.

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term disease than acute bronchitis and often a part of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):

• Smoking. This is the number one cause of chronic bronchitis. Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of contracting the disease.

• Air pollution and workplace exposure to chemicals.  Long-term exposure to chemicals, dust, or toxic fumes.

• Repeated respiratory infections.  Seniors who frequently get colds or flu are more likely to develop chronic bronchitis over time.

• Underlying health conditions. Conditions like asthma or immune disorders can contribute to chronic inflammation in the lungs.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Persistent cough (with or without mucus)

Chest discomfort or tightness

Wheezing or noisy breathing

Shortness of breath, especially with mild activity

Low-grade fever and chills

Bruce Willis, From Hollywood Legend to a Life in the Shadows

On March 22, Bruce Willis stopped making movies when he was diagnosed with aphasia.

Aphasia is a neurological disorder that makes talking, reading, listening, and writing difficult. It happens specifically in the language center located on the left side of the brain.

It can result from a stroke, brain tumor, brain infection, and aneurysm. It can happen after brain surgery, and migraine, and it could possibly be congenital.

Bruce’s family, however did not provide any information on what really caused his aphasia.

What actually happened to Bruce’s brain that resulted to aphasia?

An article published by the National Library of Medicine says that aphasia is caused by lesions that have developed in the language areas of the brain called the Brocka and Wernicke areas, and arcuate fasciculus.

The Brocka area of the brain is responsible for producing speech and the Wernicke area is responsible for understanding language.

Any disconnection between these two functions will enable the patient to say what he wants to say but cannot find the right words to express it, or his words will not make sense at all.

The Willis family hasn’t publicly shared the exact cause of Willis’ frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but here’s what can be said about his condition based on a typical pattern of the disease.

Unlike aphasia caused by stroke, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) develops gradually, brought about by a combination of genetics and the abnormal build-up of protein in the brain.

In the case of Willis, what happened was that the family first noticed a change in his speech then the symptoms got worse over time.

The doctor’s final diagnosis is that he has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) indicating that his brain’s frontal and temporal lobes are slowly deteriorating.

Abnormal build up of proteins in the brain is the main reason why people suffer from frontotemporal dementia. The proteins TAU, TDP 43, FUS form clumps and tangles in the brain cells that eventually lead to death of brain cells.

While frontotemporal dementia, or dementia in general is not totally preventable, there are important things that the younger generation can do to reduce the risk of contracting this disease.

• Stay mentally active by learning new skills, by reading, and by solving puzzles
• Protect your head from trauma and other types of injury that will cause the brain cells to die
• Stay physically active. Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes blood flow to the brain, thus delaying the onset of memory loss and improves the ability to think. Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones.
• Eat the types of food that are good for the brain like vegetables, fruits, fish, berries, and even the healthy kind of fat
• Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep adversely affects brain activity and is linked to memory issues. Prolonged lack of sleep hastens the build up of harmful proteins in the brain.
• Watch your mental health. Know the early signs of depression, anxiety, and stress so you can seek help if and when necessary. Always prioritize self-care. Love and care for yourself first so you may be able to help others when that time comes.
• If there’s a family history of dementia, be proactive with early screening and lifestyle changes.