Bronchitis: Symptoms, Treatment Options, and When to Seek Help

Got a cough that won't quit? Bronchitis is one of the usual suspects. It happens when the bronchial tubes that carry air to your lungs get inflamed. You can get a short bout after a cold or have chronic bronchitis that sticks around for months.

Acute bronchitis often follows a cold or the flu. You'll usually feel chest tightness, a cough that can be dry or produce mucus, mild fever, and tiredness. Most cases are viral, so antibiotics won't help. Simple self-care — rest, fluids, humidified air, and over-the-counter pain relievers — eases symptoms in days to a couple of weeks. Watch for signs that suggest more than a simple infection: high fever over 38.5°C (101.3°F), shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood. If you see those, get medical help fast.

Short-term (acute) bronchitis: what to expect

Expect a cough that lasts up to three weeks. Cough medicines can help you sleep, but don’t numb a productive cough during the day if you need to clear mucus. A humidifier or warm showers loosen mucus and reduce throat irritation. Steam inhalation a few times daily can make breathing easier. If wheezing is present, inhalers such as bronchodilators may be prescribed — for example, formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator used for chronic cases and COPD-related breathing trouble. Your doctor will decide if you need one.

Chronic bronchitis and long-term care

Chronic bronchitis means a cough with mucus most days for at least three months across two years. Smoking is the top cause. Quitting smoking is the single best step to slow damage. Vaccines — flu and pneumonia shots — reduce flare-ups. Pulmonary rehab, inhalers, and lifestyle changes can cut symptoms and keep you active. If you have COPD or repeated infections, follow-up with a lung specialist helps prevent decline.

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Small changes make a big difference: avoid smoke and pollutants, use a humidifier in dry months, wash hands to reduce infections, and stay up to date on vaccines. If symptoms linger beyond three weeks, worsen, or interfere with daily life, call your doctor. Quick action often keeps a cough from turning into something much worse.

Antibiotics are only useful if your doctor suspects a bacterial infection or if you have COPD with a bacterial flare. Tests like chest X-ray or sputum culture are used when pneumonia or other problems are suspected. For chronic cough, spirometry measures lung function and helps guide inhaler choices. Pulmonary rehab teaches breathing techniques and exercise you can do at home. Keep a simple symptom diary — note cough severity, mucus color, and triggers — and share it with your clinician to speed up the right diagnosis and treatment.