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Some Allergy Symptoms Confused With Bronchitis


Ex-President George H. W. Bush continues to recover at a Houston hospital suffering from bronchitis and a chronic cough. Fortunately, it is reportedly not life threatening.

Here in Austin, St. David’s Medical Center doctors say his respiratory virus is more common than you think.

The hospital is seeing many cases, but KEYE TV found out some people are finding out their allergies may in fact be bronchitis.

“Every morning I wake up I have this pressure behind my eyes and down the back of my neck,” said allergy sufferer Christine Cox.

Mita Thaker, another woman who suffers from allergies, said, “Usually itchy eyes and a lot of congestion and ear pain after a while.”

Dr. Ann Buchanan says the differentiating factor between allergies and bronchitis is coughing and wheezing. Sometimes it’s nothing more than a virus.

“Often times if it's viral it's going to go away on its own in the next few days to a week,” said Buchanan.

If that doesn’t work, you should consider seeing a doctor.

“When you need to start worrying is when you're feeling like you're short of breath, feeling like you can't get enough air,” said Buchanan.

Treatment for bronchitis can be as simple as getting plenty of rest, drinking fluid, avoiding smoking and getting prescribed an inhaler. As for chronic cases, doctors commonly prescribe oral steroids.

By Christie Post