If the symptoms of bronchitis are present and last for over 3 consecutive weeks, then a medical diagnosis is required. This diagnosis helps the doctor to determine whether the condition is chronic bronchitis. Since the symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to a range of other diseases, a medical professional will need to diagnose the condition to treat it correctly. A range of different factors may cause acute or chronic bronchitis. The causes of both types of bronchitis are explored below.
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection, similar to the viruses that cause colds and flu, which means acute bronchitis may be contagious. Some environmental factors can increase the chances of developing acute bronchitis. These conditions cause airway inflammation and make the lungs more prone to infection.
There are some steps that people can take to avoid or reduce the risk of developing both acute and chronic bronchitis. These include:. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , antibiotics are not used to treat acute bronchitis because it is caused by a virus, and antibiotics only work against bacterial infections. Smoking can exacerbate your illness, worsening symptoms and lengthening recovery.
It is important to cut back or quit smoking whenever possible. Unfortunately, chronic bronchitis has no known cure. Instead, treatment options for chronic bronchitis involve managing and reducing symptoms. Lifestyle changes are often recommended to control symptoms of chronic bronchitis. These include ensuring you eat a healthful diet and exercising as tolerated.
Pulmonary rehabilitation may also be useful to many individuals with chronic bronchitis. In some cases, doctors will recommend medicines. These can come in various forms, including:. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but healthy living will help. In particular, you should stop smoking , if you smoke.
There is little evidence that cough medicines work — read more about treating coughs. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency MHRA has recommended that over-the-counter cough medicines should not be given to children under the age of six.
As an alternative to an over-the-counter cough medicine, try making your own mixture of honey and lemon, which can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough. If you smoke, you should stop immediately.
Smoking aggravates bronchitis and increases your risk of developing a long-term chronic condition. Stopping smoking while you have bronchitis can also be the perfect opportunity to quit altogether. Although treatment from a GP is rarely necessary, there may be times when you should see one — read more about when to see your GP. Your GP will not routinely prescribe antibiotics , as bronchitis is nearly always caused by a virus. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and prescribing them when they are unnecessary can, over time, make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Your GP will only prescribe antibiotics if you have an increased risk of developing complications, such as pneumonia. Antibiotics may be recommended for:. If you are prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis, it is likely to be a five-day course of amoxicillin, oxytetracycline or doxycycline.
Possible side effects of these medicines include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, but they are uncommon. Stopping smoking is also very important if you have been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis or COPD. Read more about the treatment of COPD.
Home Illnesses and conditions Lungs and airways Bronchitis. Bronchitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About bronchitis 2. Symptoms of bronchitis 3. Causes of bronchitis 4. Treating bronchitis. About bronchitis Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs bronchi , causing them to become irritated and inflamed.
When to see your GP Most cases of bronchitis can be treated easily at home with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs and plenty of fluids. Treating bronchitis In most cases, bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment.
Why do I have bronchitis? Complications Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. People at an increased risk of developing pneumonia include: elderly people people who smoke people with other health conditions, such as heart, liver or kidney disease people with a weakened immune system Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home.
This happens when excess mucus produced by the virus infects the bronchial tubes. This can sometimes progress to pneumonia if the infection travels to the alveoli air sacs in the lungs.
Exposure to these irritants can trigger the same symptoms of viral or bacterial infections, increasing mucus production and irritating the bronchial tubes. We are an on-demand healthcare service that delivers medical care to patients in their homes. Once contacted our teams will come to your place of need, prepared with medical kits to address your exacerbations. DispatchHealth relies only on authoritative sources, including medical associations, research institutions, and peer-reviewed medical studies.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your health history, including if you smoke and if you had a flu shot. They will listen to your breathing through a stethoscope and may want you to have a chest x-ray to help determine what is causing your cough. Repeated episodes of acute bronchitis may also mean you are developing chronic bronchitis and should be reported to your doctor.
If your bronchitis was caused by a virus, get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Your doctor may also recommend an over-the-counter medication to bring down your fever. Acute bronchitis is very common. As uncomfortable as it may make you feel, it usually resolves on its own. If you have bacterial bronchitis, you may benefit from seeing a doctor to get medications which can help you feel better and help you avoid complications, including pneumonia.
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Bronchitis is a common infection, especially during the winter months.
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