INFORMATION FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE BRONCHITIS DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING

What is bronchitis during pregnancy?

Bronchitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the inside of the bronchi, the two tubes that lead from the trachea (which leads down from the throat) to the lungs. Bronchitis is characterized by spasms of the smooth muscle layer within the bronchi, with coughing, and often mucus secretion, and can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis usually results from infections with viruses that cause the common cold (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], parainfluenza) or influenza virus (the “flu”), and sometimes from a bacterial infection. In fact, it’s possible to have some degree of pneumonia – an infection in the lungs, often due to bacteria – alongside bronchitis. Bronchitis is called chronic if your cough lasts for periods measured in months, or if the condition waxes and wanes over at least two years. In cases of chronic bronchitis, airway lining is inflamed continuously, so there is typically a lot of mucus. Chronic bronchitis can be a component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a severe condition, and any of these conditions can occur during pregnancy.