Smokers are at an increased risk for developing bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation in the large airways of the lungs. Bronchitis can be mild or it can be severe. Depending upon your condition, bronchitis will last only for a few days or it can last for several months. Employees with bronchitis need to stay home or wear a mask when they are at work to prevent the spread of this viral infection.
Bronchitis is cold in your chest. It is a viral infection that moves from the nose, mouth, or throat to your lungs. Bronchitis is coughing with mucous. As your body starts to fight the infection, the cough will become dry. For most people Bronchitis causes pain in the chest. This pain is evident when they take a deep breath or when they are coughing. Some people even experience pain when they are talking. Other symptoms of bronchitis include wheezing, fatigue, and a fever. Some people experience chronic bronchitis which means they experience a cough with mucus for 3 consecutive months for 2 years or longer.
Employers should request the employee with bronchitis to stay home. The office also needs to be thoroughly cleansed to prevent the spread of this viral infection. Employees need to wash their hands often in order to reduce bronchitis from spreading. It is also important for everyone to get their proper vaccinations. Eating a balanced diet can build-up the immune system and it will help to protect you against bronchitis. If you have employees that smoke, let them know they are at an increased risk of contracting bronchitis. Encourage them to stop smoking and to start increasing their lung capacity through aerobic exercise. Getting proper rest can also help to prevent bronchitis from spreading in the workplace.
In order to treat bronchitis, you will need to get plenty of rest, fluids, and medication. Doctors will not prescribe antibiotics for bronchitis because it is a viral infection. Antibiotics only have an effect on bacterial diseases. A few medications they may give you are ibuprofen and prescription cough medications. Ibuprofen will help the chest pains you feel and the coughing. The cough medications will cause you cough up more mucous and it will start to cleanse your lungs. The cough medications can also help you control your cough so you aren’t coughing non-stop.
People with bronchitis need to get extra rest in order to completely remove the infection. If you are allowed to take sleeping medications, take them during the daytime as well. Try to get as much rest as you possibly can to give your body enough time to heal. Drinking extra fluids will help your body fight the infection because it helps to clear the lungs. When you are sick with bronchitis, you need to drink an additional 32 ounces of water each day while your body fights off the infection.
Use a vaporizer or humidifier to help treat bronchitis. Extra moisture in the air is the best way to clear your lungs. Another thing you can do is avoid cigarette smoke and any type of smoke. You also need to stay away from dust, chemicals, and pollution. All of these things can cause more damage to your lungs and you could have severe health problems as a result of inhaling them.
If you suspect any of your employees have bronchitis, send them home or to the doctor immediately. Employees that are running a fever over 100 degrees need to see a doctor within 24 hours if their fever has not broken. The cough should subside within 2 weeks; if it lasts longer you will need to see your doctor for a different treatment method.