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

Why Is Green Tea Good For You

Green Tea is good for you because it helps prevent cancer.

How does green tea prevent cancer?

Our body produces various enzymes and one of them is called urokinase.

Urokinase is an enzyme that helps in the production and spread of cancer cells.

Benefits of drinking green tea.

• Green tea helps prevent the multiplication and spread of cancer cells in our body. 

• It helps stop the multiplication and growth of cancer cells that cause damage to our body. This is the reason why drinking green tea regularly is good for the body.

Green tea has become an overnight sensation because of its ability to protect the body against cancer, inflammation, radiation, and free radicals. 

It contains more antioxidants than vitamin C because it contains the substance epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Green tea also contains three other important catechins, epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin (EGC).

Green tea protects the body from cancer by inhibiting the release of urokinase, an enzyme that cause the growth of cancer cells, invade healthy cells and promote metastasis. 

Inhibiting the release of urokinase reduces the size of tumors and has in fact shown to completely remove tumors in laboratory animals.  

The phenolic catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea is responsible for protecting the body against oxidative stress by acting as a scavenger, completely removing toxins from the body.

Green tea extract protects the body from cancer and radiation. EGCG lowers down the production of reactive oxidation species (ROS), decreases the incidence of apoptosis due to ultra violet A (UVA) rays and protects the DNA against oxidative damage caused by UVA.

Green tea extract protects against inflammation by reducing fat peroxidization, reducing the amount of nitric acid and oxidative stress. EGCG prevents the invasion of leukocyctes and prevents the production of reactive oxidation species (ROS) in the skin.