Acute Bronchitis: Brief Version

What is acute bronchitis?

When you have acute bronchitis, the air passages between your windpipe and your lungs are swollen and irritated. You have a bad cough and pain in your chest when you breathe deeply or cough.

How does it happen?

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, like a cold or the flu. It can also be caused by bacteria.

Most of the time, it clears up in a few days. It may take you longer to get better if:

• You smoke cigarettes.
• You have a heart or lung disease.
• You live in an area where air pollution is a problem.
• You have any other health problems.

What are the symptoms?

You may:

• Have a deep cough with yellowish or greenish phlegm.
• Feel pain behind your breastbone when you breathe deeply or cough.
• Wheeze or feel short of breath.
• Have a fever or chills.

How do I know if I have it?

Your health care provider will:

• Ask how you have been feeling.
• Give you an exam.

You may have a chest x-ray or other tests.

How can I take care of myself?

Resting at home and drinking plenty of fluids to keep the mucus loose may be all you need to do to get better in a few days. If your symptoms are severe or you have other health problems (such as heart or lung disease or diabetes), you may need to take antibiotics.

You should also:

• Stop smoking if you smoke.
• Avoid smoky places.

You may want to ask your health care provider about taking medicine for cough or fever.

Call your health care provider if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have a fever over 101°F (38.3°C).
• You cough up blood.
• You don't start to feel better in 3 days or you are feeling worse.

How can I help prevent acute bronchitis?

You can lower your chances of getting bronchitis if you don't smoke.