Preventing bronchitis:

The following advice may help to prevent bronchitis.

• Stop smoking - tobacco smoke can make a current infection worse and makes you much more likely to develop chronic bronchitis.

• Maintain good hygiene - bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, which spreads through either direct contact or via coughing and sneezing. Washing your hands often and using disposable tissues can help to prevent the spread of infection.

• Protect yourself at work - if you work with substances which can irritate your lungs, make sure that you always wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.