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 healthcare 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 healthcare provider about taking medicine
for your cough or fever.
Call your healthcare provider if:
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have a fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher.
- You cough up blood.
- You are feeling worse or not any better after 3 days.
How can I help prevent acute bronchitis?
You can lower your chances of getting bronchitis if you don't
smoke.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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