Acute Bronchitis

Causes

Viruses are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. Bacteria can also cause it, but this is not as common.

Risk Factors

Things that raise the risk of acute bronchitis are:

• Having a cold or the flu
• Being around others who are sick
• Smoking or being around people who smoke
• Having allergies or asthma
• Working with substances that can irritate the airways such as:
  • Ammonia
  • Chlorine
  • Minerals
  • Dusts from farming
• Having a weakened immune system

Symptoms

Acute bronchitis can cause:

• Coughing
• Breathing problems
• Wheezing
• Slight fever
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

An infection caused by a virus will usually go away on its own within a week. The cough can last for up to a month.

The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms. It includes:

• Drinking more fluids
• Resting
• Medicines to lower fever and manage coughing
• Inhalers to open airways and ease breathing

An infection caused by bacteria will also need antibiotics.

Prevention

The risk of acute bronchitis may be lowered by:

• Washing hands often
• Staying away from people who are sick
• Not smoking