Acute Bronchitis Summary Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus. It can also cause shortness of breath, wheezing, a low fever, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Most cases of acute bronchitis get better within several days. But your cough can last for several weeks after the infection is gone. The same viruses that cause colds and the flu often cause acute bronchitis. These viruses spread through the air when people cough, or though physical contact (for example, on unwashed hands). Being exposed to tobacco smoke, air pollution, dusts, vapors, and fumes can also cause acute bronchitis. Less often, bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis. To diagnose acute bronchitis, your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and listen to your breathing. You may also have other tests. Treatments include rest, fluids, and aspirin (for adults) or acetaminophen to treat fever. A humidifier or steam can also help. You may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if you are wheezing. Antibiotics won’t help if the cause is viral. You may get antibiotics if the cause is bacterial. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Start Here Acute Bronchitis American Lung Association Acute Bronchitis American Academy of Family Physicians Bronchitis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work – Bronchitis (Chest Cold) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert American Lung Association American Lung Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Encyclopedia Blood gases Bronchiolitis Chest x-ray Industrial bronchitis Oxygen safety Diagnosis and Tests Blood Gases Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry What Is a Chest X Ray? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Reference Desk Bronchi, Bronchial Tree, & Lungs National Cancer Institute What Are the Lungs? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Teenagers Bronchitis Nemours Foundation Array Bronchitis – acute Postural drainage Routine sputum culture Children Bronchitis and Pneumonia California Childcare Health Program Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchiolitis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchitis National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Diagnosing and Treating Acute Bronchitis American Lung Association How Is Bronchitis Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Prevention and Risk Factors How Can Bronchitis Be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Is Acute Bronchitis Contagious? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Causes Bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues Humidifiers: Air Moisture Eases Skin, Breathing Symptoms Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Journal Articles Acute bronchitis Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
