Bronchitis is inflammation and irritation of the bronchi in the lungs that causes a cough.
The two types of bronchitis are:
- Acute bronchitis (also called a “chest cold”)
- The most common type of bronchitis
- Caused by an infection
- Most often caused by viruses such as the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or whooping cough
- May also be caused by bacteria
- Lasts less than 3 weeks
- Chronic bronchitis
- A type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Most often caused by smoking
- Lasts 3 months or longer for 2 or more years in a row
Treatment for bronchitis depends on whether it is acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is usually not treated with antibiotics, because the most common cause is viral, and antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Acute bronchitis usually resolves on its own within a few weeks.
Home remedies to relieve symptoms of acute bronchitis may include:
- Rest
- Drinking plenty of liquids
- Drinking hot tea
- Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines
- OTC pain-relievers for cold or flu symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, or joint pain
- Sucking on cough drops, lozenges, or hard candy
- Do not give young children lozenges or cough drops due to the choking risk
- Inhaling warm, moist air, such as in the shower, over a kettle, or from a humidifier
- Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
Treatment for chronic bronchitis includes:
- Prescription medications
- Inhalers
- Steroids
- Oxygen
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
What Are Symptoms of Bronchitis?
Symptoms of acute bronchitis include:
- A nagging cough that lasts less than 3 weeks
- Coughing with or without mucus (mucus may be clear, yellow, or green)
- Soreness in the chest
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mild body aches
- Mild headache
See a doctor if you have a cough and:
- Symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks
- Fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
- Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
- Chest pain when coughing
- Coughing up blood
- A barking cough that makes it difficult to talk
- Unexplained weight loss that accompanies the cough
- Repeated episodes of bronchitis
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:
- Coughing up mucus on most days for at least 3 months, for 2 years in a row
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Tiredness
What Causes Bronchitis?
- Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses such as the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or whooping cough. It may sometimes be caused by bacteria.
- Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis but it can also occur from breathing in toxic fumes or gases.
From 
Lung Disease/COPD Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Reviewed on 5/7/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-bronchitis-the-basics?search=Bronchitis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-bronchitis-the-basics?search=Bronchitis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/bronchitis.html
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-bronchitis-the-basics?search=Bronchitis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-bronchitis-the-basics?search=Bronchitis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/bronchitis.html