Bronchitis Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

An inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to coughing, mucus production, and breathing difficulties.

Bronchitis FAQ

What are the treatment options for chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis treatments target your symptoms and include: Medications like antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and bronchodilators to open your airways. A mucus-clearing device to help you cough up fluid more easily. Oxygen therapy so you can breathe better.

What is chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring for at least two consecutive years. If you have chronic bronchitis, you're likely to have periods when your cough or other symptoms worsen. At those times, you may have an acute infection on top of chronic bronchitis.

What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs themselves. Bronchitis causes inflammation and mucus in your trachea and bronchi that make you cough a lot. Pneumonia causes inflammation and fluid in the small sacs in your lungs (alveoli) that makes it hard to breathe. You also usually have a cough and a fever. Pneumonia is more serious than bronchitis.

How long does bronchitis last without treatment?

Bronchitis usually clears up without treatment in around 3 weeks. See a GP if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks. You may need antibiotics if your bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Find out about bronchitis, what the symptoms are, how you can ease the symptoms, where to get help, and how it is treated.

What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?

The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough. You may also develop a high temperature (fever), headache, cold symptoms and aches and pains. Symptoms typically peak after 2-3 days and then gradually clear. However, It commonly takes 2-3 weeks for the cough to go completely after the other symptoms have gone.

How do you know if you have bronchitis?

A persistent cough that lasts one to three weeks is the main symptom of bronchitis. You usually bring up mucus when you cough with bronchitis, but you might get a dry cough instead. You might also hear a whistling or rattling sound when you breathe ( wheezing ). You might have other symptoms, including: Shortness of breath (dyspnea). Fever.

What causes cough in adults Besides acute bronchitis?

Cough in adults has many causes besides acute bronchitis. Cough in children has similar causes as in adults. Infections causing acute bronchitis typically begin with the symptoms of a common cold: runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue.