Ever had a cough that just won't quit? That could be bronchitis. It's inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to your lungs. Bronchitis comes in two main types: acute and chronic. Acute is short-lived, often following a cold. Chronic lasts months and usually ties to smoking or long-term lung irritation.
Symptoms are clear: a persistent cough, mucus that can be clear, yellow, or green, chest tightness, shortness of breath, low fever, and tiredness. Acute bronchitis often causes a cough that lasts two to three weeks. Chronic bronchitis means a productive cough for at least three months in two straight years.
Viruses cause most acute cases—same culprits as colds and flu. Bacteria are rare but possible. Chronic bronchitis comes from long-term irritants: smoking, air pollution, dust, and workplace fumes. People with asthma or COPD are more likely to get bronchitis and have worse symptoms.
If it’s acute and mild, you can often manage it at home. Rest, stay hydrated, and use a humidifier or steam to loosen mucus. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen help with fever and aches. Cough medicines can ease your throat, but productive coughs help clear mucus, so use suppressants carefully. For wheeze or breathlessness, inhale a short-acting bronchodilator if prescribed.
Antibiotics are not usually needed for viral bronchitis. A doctor might prescribe them if tests show a bacterial infection or if you have high risk factors like weakened immunity or chronic lung disease. If your symptoms worsen or you have a high fever, seek medical care quickly.
Smoking makes bronchitis worse and slows recovery. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke are the single best moves to prevent chronic bronchitis. Vaccines for flu and whooping cough can also lower risk of infections that lead to bronchitis.
In kids, bronchitis often follows a cold. Watch for fast breathing, poor feeding, or high fever—these need medical attention. Older adults and people with heart or lung problems should see a doctor sooner if breathing gets hard.
Watch for warning signs: trouble breathing, blue lips or face, confusion, chest pain, or fever above 102°F (39°C). If you see any of those, go to the ER or call emergency services. For routine follow-up, your doctor may order a chest X-ray, lung function tests, or sputum tests to rule out pneumonia or chronic lung disease.
Simple prevention works: wash hands, avoid smoking, use masks in smoky or dusty environments, and get your yearly flu shot. If bronchitis keeps returning, ask your doctor about long-term care plans and breathing exercises to protect your lungs.
If you have repeated bronchitis, ask about pulmonary rehab, inhaled steroids, or mucolytic drugs to thin mucus. Simple habits help: drink warm fluids, use saline nasal rinses, walk daily to keep lungs moving, and run a HEPA air filter at home. Talk to your doctor about a pneumonia vaccine if you’re over 65 or have chronic lung disease. Stay safe.
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