Health Library

What is acute bronchitis?

Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These airways are called bronchi.
This inflammation causes increased mucus production and other changes. Although there
are several different types of bronchitis, the most common are acute and chronic.
Bronchitis may also be called a chest cold.

Most symptoms of acute bronchitis last for up to 2 weeks. The cough can last for up
to 8 weeks in some people. Chronic bronchitis lasts a long time. It is more common
among smokers. Chronic bronchitis is covered in a separate document.

What causes acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. This is most often the same
viruses that cause colds and the flu. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection,
or by physical or chemical agents that are breathed in. These may include dusts, allergens,
and strong fumes, including those from chemical cleaning compounds or tobacco smoke.

Acute bronchitis may follow the common cold or other viral infections in the upper
respiratory tract. It may also occur in people with chronic sinusitis, allergies,
or those with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. It can be serious in people with lung
or heart diseases. Pneumonia is a complication that can follow bronchitis.

What are the symptoms acute bronchitis?

The following are the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, each individual
may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Cough – early it’s dry (non-productive), later, a lot of mucus is produced
• Chest soreness
• Runny nose
• Feeling tired and achy
• Headache
• Chills
• Slight fever
• Back and muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

The symptoms of acute bronchitis may look like other conditions or medical problems.
Consult a health care provider for a diagnosis.

How is acute bronchitis diagnosed?

Health care providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history
and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia
or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:

• Chest X-rays. A test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal
  tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
• Arterial blood gas. This blood test is used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the
  blood.
• Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To
  get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped on a finger or toe. When
  the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless
  and the red light does not get hot.
• Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify
  the microorganism causing the infection.
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs). These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out
  of the lungs. The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into.

How is acute bronchitis treated?

Acute bronchitis is usually a mild and does not cause complications. The symptoms
often resolve on their own and lung function goes back to normal.

In most cases, antibiotics are not needed to treat acute bronchitis. That’s because
most of the infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against
viruses. If it has progressed to pneumonia, then antibiotics may be necessary.

Treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms, and may include:

• Pain relievers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Cough medicine
• Increased fluid intake
• Humidifying the air
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke

Avoid antihistamines because they dry up the secretions and can make the cough worse.

What are the complications of acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis can worsen and progress chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. If this
happens, a different treatment may be necessary.

When should I call my health care provider?

Most often, bronchitis resolves on its own. If your symptoms worsen or do not get
better over time, call your health care provider.

Key points

• Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These airways are called bronchi.
  There are several different types of bronchitis. The two most common are acute and
  chronic.
• Acute bronchitis is usually caused by the same viruses that cause colds and the flu.
  It may also be caused by a bacterial infection, or by physical or chemical agents
  that are breathed into the lungs.
• The most common symptoms for acute bronchitis include cough, chest soreness, runny
  nose, feeling tired and achy, headache, chills, slight fever, and sore throat.
• Health care providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history
  and doing physical exam. Blood tests, breathing tests, and imaging tests may also
  be used.
• In most cases, antibiotics are not needed to treat acute bronchitis. If it progresses
  to pneumonia, then antibiotics may be necessary. Treatment is aimed at managing the
  symptoms.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider:

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells
  you.
• At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any
  new instructions your provider gives you.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that
  visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.