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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

A single episode of bronchitis
Although a single episode of bronchitis usually isn't cause for concern, it can lead to pneumonia in some people. Older adults, infants, smokers and people with chronic respiratory disorders or heart problems are at greatest risk of getting pneumonia.

Repeated bronchitis
Take repeated bouts of bronchitis seriously. They may signal:

  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Other lung disorders

Also, if you have chronic bronchitis and you continue to smoke, your risk of lung cancer increases beyond the normal risk that smokers face.

References
  1. What is bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/brnchi/brnchi_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
  2. Acute bronchitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec05/ch051/ch051a.html. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
  3. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-ppv.pdf. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
  4. Chronic bronchitis. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058829&content_id={C79758B1-B58D-45C4-851D-2FD12958D1E3}¬oc=1. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
  5. Wei J, et al. Chinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis (review). Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. 2008:CD004560.
  6. Agbabiaka T, et al. Pelargonium sidoides for acute bronchitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine 2008;15:378.
  7. Long MD, et al. Extra-esophageal GERD: Clinical dilemma of epidemiology versus clinical practice. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2007;9:195.
  8. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-PneumoConjugate.pdf. Accessed Jan. 25, 2009.

DS00031

April 21, 2009

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