Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs when the lining of your bronchial tubes — the tubes that carry oxygen to and from your lungs — get inflamed and fill with mucus. You develop a cough to get the mucus out of your lungs. The cough lingers until the mucus and inflammation are gone.

There are two types of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is common, and a virus usually causes it. This infection is frequently called a chest cold. It typically goes away within a few weeks without any treatment. Chronic bronchitis is more serious, and it is often the result of smoking. With this condition, your bronchial tubes are constantly inflamed and irritated. Chronic bronchitis does not go away, and it will require medical treatment.

Bronchitis isn’t contagious. But many of the bacteria or viruses that cause it are. If bacteria cause bronchitis, you no longer spread the infection 24 hours after starting an antibiotic treatment. For viral bronchitis, you may be contagious for up to a week.

You can develop bronchitis in multiple ways. Some causes come from an infection, but others do not. Bronchitis causes include:

• Bacteria like Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia
• Pollution
• Smoking
• Viruses like adenovirus, COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus (common cold)

Bronchitis can affect anyone. However, these factors put you at greater risk:

• Asthma
• Autoimmune disorders that cause inflammation
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder)
• Exposure to air pollutants like smoke or chemicals
• GERD (chronic acid reflux)
• Smoking or being around smokers

Whether you have acute or chronic bronchitis, you can experience:

• Chest congestion or discomfort
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Mucus (clear, green, white or yellow-grey)
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• Whistling or wheezing when you breathe

With acute bronchitis, you may also have signs of a common cold, like body aches or a headache. These symptoms usually disappear within a week. But your cough may stick around for one to three weeks. Your cough may bring up mucus, or it could be a dry cough.

You may be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis if your cough produces mucus for at least three months, several times within a two-year period. Your symptoms are always present, but they can get worse from time to time. If they do, it could mean you also have an acute bronchial infection at the same time.

Early-stage bronchitis can mimic the common cold. No specific tests exist to identify bronchitis, so diagnosing the condition can be difficult. In addition to listening to your lungs with a stethoscope, our expert providers may suggest several tests to rule out other conditions that may cause a cough. These tests include:

• Blood test. A sample of your blood can help detect a variety of infections.
• Chest X-ray. Images of the inside of your chest can reveal signs of pneumonia or other conditions that cause a cough. This test is essential if you are (or have ever been) a smoker.
• Nasal swab. A cotton swab collects mucus from the inside of your nose to help providers identify viruses like COVID-19 or influenza.
• Pulmonary function tests. A spirometer machine helps providers understand how well your lungs work, including how much oxygen they process and push into your blood. These tests can diagnose asthma or emphysema.
• Sputum test. For this test, you cough and spit into a tube. Our providers test the mucus sample for bacteria or viruses.

Usually, bronchitis treatments focus more on managing your symptoms than curing the condition. Antibiotics will only help if bacteria cause your bronchitis. Using antibiotics may make you feel worse. It can also cause you to build up a resistance to medication you may need in the future. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis.

No matter which type of bronchitis you have, other treatments can help relieve your symptoms:

• Anti-inflammatory medications. Corticosteroids can help reduce the inflammation in your lungs.
• Antiviral medication. If the influenza virus triggers bronchitis, our providers may prescribe antiviral medicines. These treatments may help you feel better sooner if you take them within two days of your symptoms appearing.
• Asthma/COPD treatments. Some breathing treatments for these conditions can also relieve symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
• Bronchodilators. These medications help open the airways in your lungs so you can breathe more easily.
• Cough suppressants. Over-the-counter medications that contain dextromethorphan and benzonatate can relieve coughing temporarily.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation. A respiratory therapist can create a breathing program that helps strengthen your lungs.

It’s also important to use a humidifier and drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day. Both steps can help loosen your chest congestion.

The best way to avoid getting bronchitis is to avoid getting sick. It’s not always possible to prevent illness, but you can reduce your risk by:

• Avoiding other people who are sick
• Avoiding smoke and other inhaled irritants like dust, pet dander or pollen
• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Running a humidifier (dry air can irritate your lungs)
• Staying up to date on influenza and pneumonia vaccines
• Washing your hands frequently or regularly using alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Because bronchitis can resemble the common cold, it may be difficult to know when to see your healthcare provider. Make an appointment if you have:

• A cough that lasts longer than three weeks
• A cough that brings up blood
• A fever that lasts over five days
• A fever over 102°F
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing