If I have bronchitis and I am on antibiotics when am I not contagious

by Marcella
(San Clemente )

My doctor said I might be getting bronchitis so he gave me medicine to treat it but I looked online at the symptoms and I basically matched them perfectly the cough with yellow green mucus, fever between 99-101, wheezing, shortness of breath. So I was wondering if I should go to school because it's contagious and I have only been on antibiotics for like I 36 hours. I have asthma and am taking antibiotic and prednisone plus my inhaler. I don't smoke or drink at all. There is a family history of asthma.

Bronchitis

I have to say the majority of acute bronchitis is viral in origin and antibiotics won’t usually make any difference in this situation. However, it is probably wise to have them particularly with your asthma history as it will help to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

Bronchitis isn’t usually that contagious. You have to cough and splutter a lot to send any infectious particles airborne in this situation. Obviously make sure you cover your mouth when coughing and cough away from people.

Of course, you have asthma and it doesn’t take much for an infection to take hold and cause your asthma to deteriorate. I note your doctor has given you steroids and this is wise as it will help reduce airway reactivity or bronchospasm. Do keep an eye on your peak flows and make sure you use your inhaler as frequently as necessary. I assume you have a steroid inhaler (usually brown in colour) which you should continue as well as it is a preventative.

As for whether you have time of school, it’s more a case of rest and recuperation and it really depends on whether you feel ready to be at school or not with this. Its not going to be an issue of whether you are infectious or not.




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