Bronchitis
Bronchitis means inflammation of the bronchial airways; acute bronchitis usually follows a viral infection, while chronic bronchitis describes long-term productive cough.
Key takeaways
- Cough after an acute respiratory infection can last several weeks and does not alone show that antibiotics are needed.
- High fever, low oxygen, focal chest findings or marked breathlessness raise concern for pneumonia rather than uncomplicated bronchitis.
- Chronic productive cough warrants assessment for COPD, smoking exposure, asthma, bronchiectasis or another persistent cause.
The listings below do not distinguish acute infection from chronic airway disease; treatment should follow the underlying diagnosis.
Managing an acute cough
Fluids, rest and appropriate pain or fever relief may help. Wheeze can justify bronchodilator treatment in selected people, but routine antibiotics offer little benefit for uncomplicated viral bronchitis. Coloured sputum reflects airway inflammation and is not reliable evidence of bacteria.
When cough is chronic
Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically and often occurs within COPD. Spirometry, exposure history and exacerbation pattern guide inhaler and prevention decisions. Smoking cessation, vaccination where indicated and pulmonary rehabilitation can reduce future illness more than repeated cough medicines.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent care for severe or worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, chest pain, coughing blood, low oxygen readings or inability to keep fluids down.