Health Conditions A-Z Lung Disorders What To Know About Bronchitis By Health Editorial Team Updated on September 9, 2024 Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD Kashif J. Piracha, MD, FACP, FASN, FNKF, is a practicing physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. learn more In This Article View All In This Article Types Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications Frequently Asked Questions Close eclipse_images / Getty Images Bronchitis is inflammation of the inner mucus lining of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. A nagging cough is one of the most prevalent bronchitis symptoms. A cough usually starts as dry but eventually produces phlegm, which makes it hard to breathe. Some cases of bronchitis go away on their own. Treatment includes medications, therapies, and home remedies. The bronchial tubes are branch-like passageways, also known as bronchi, that carry air from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs. The bronchial tubes swell and thicken with mucus, constricting airflow if they become infected or irritated. Contagious viral infections are the most common cause of bronchitis. Bronchitis might be short-term (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Read on to learn what bronchitis is, including types, symptoms, treatment, and more. Types Bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. There are two distinct types of bronchitis: acute, which is short-term, and chronic, which is long-lasting. Acute Acute bronchitis, or a chest cold, is the most common type. This inflammation of the bronchial tubes is temporary. Most people with healthy immune systems and no underlying illnesses recover from acute bronchitis within one week. Coughing may persist for up to four weeks in some people. Chronic Chronic bronchitis causes a persistent, phlegm-producing cough that lasts three months per year for at least two years in a row. This type is the most common type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of progressive lung conditions that make it hard to breathe. People with chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to lung infections and sensitive to air pollutants and allergens than others. Symptoms go through periods where they flare up and then subside. Bronchitis Symptoms Bronchitis symptoms might vary depending on if it's acute or chronic but generally include: Coughing up mucus Fatigue Low-grade chest pain Low-grade fever (i.e., below 100.4 degrees) Shortness of breath Wheezing or whistling sound in the lungs Acute The most common sign of acute bronchitis is a persistent cough that lasts as long as four weeks. Coughing may produce clear, slimy phlegm or be yellowish-green. Acute bronchitis often strikes when you are sick or recovering from a cold or the flu, which causes symptoms like: Fatigue Fever Headache Muscle aches Runny or stuffy nose Sneezing Sore throat Acute bronchitis narrows the airways, so you may notice a wheezing sound when you breathe. Other symptoms include a low-grade fever and chest discomfort. Acute bronchitis may cause shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity. Chronic Chronic bronchitis symptoms include a persistent cough with: Chest tightness Shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity Squeaky or whistling sounds while breathing Thick mucus Wheezing People with this chronic form of bronchitis are more likely to have frequent respiratory infections than others. They may develop blue skin discoloration due to a lack of oxygen in the blood as the disease progresses. Causes Bronchitis develops if the airways, or bronchial tubes, in your lungs become inflamed. Acute bronchitis typically strikes in the wake of a cold, flu, or other viral infection. The virus invades your bronchial tubes, causing inflammation and a phlegmy cough. A bacterial infection may cause acute bronchitis, but it's less common. Other causes include irritants like: Air pollutionDustFumesPerfumePollenSmokeVapors Long-term damage to the airways and lungs causes chronic bronchitis. People with chronic bronchitis typically have exposure to irritants, such as air pollution, fumes, and smoke. Risk Factors Anyone can develop acute bronchitis, but it's most common in infants, young children, and older adults. People who live in crowded and polluted areas and have asthma are also likelier to develop acute bronchitis. Factors that increase your risk of chronic bronchitis include: Age: Older adults are likelier to develop chronic bronchitis than others. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: This is a rare genetic condition that increases your risk of chronic bronchitis and other lung conditions. Family history: You might be more likely to have COPD, including chronic bronchitis, if someone in your family has it. Environmental irritants: Air pollution, dust, fumes, and secondhand smoke might lead to chronic bronchitis. Health conditions: These include illnesses that affect your lungs, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which irritates your esophagus, also have a high risk. Long-term smoking: People sometimes mistake chronic bronchitis for a "smoker's cough." Diagnosis A healthcare provider can diagnose acute and chronic bronchitis by assessing your symptoms. They might perform a physical exam and place a stethoscope on your chest to listen for wheezing. You might require other diagnostic tests, depending on how severe your symptoms are, such as: Arterial blood gas test: This checks the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. Chest X-ray: This imaging test can diagnose acute and chronic bronchitis and rule out pneumonia. This lung infection has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. Pulse oximeter: A healthcare provider will clip this small sensor to a finger or toe to measure your blood oxygen levels. Spirometry: This test involves blowing into a tube to measure your lung function. How Long Before I Know I Have Bronchitis? A healthcare provider can diagnose chronic bronchitis if you have coughing that occurs for three months at a time for at least two years in a row. Bronchitis Treatment Various methods can treat acute and chronic bronchitis, including medications, oxygen therapy, and home remedies. Using multiple treatments is usually the most effective route. Medications for Acute Bronchitis Medications that treat acute bronchitis include: Antibiotics: These only treat acute bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection. Cough suppressants: These include dextromethorphan, which treats a dry cough. A healthcare provider may prescribe dextromethorphan, and it's available over the counter in Delsym, Robitussin, and Zicam. Only take those drugs if coughing is keeping you awake. Don't give them to children younger than 4. Guaifenesin: This is an expectorant, or a drug that thins the mucus in your airways. Expectorants make it easy to cough up mucus and clear your airways. Inhaled bronchodilator medicines: You might use albuterol or ipratropium bromide to relieve wheezing. Pain relievers: These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce fever, inflammation, and pain, such as Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Don't give aspirin to any child younger than 18. Tylenol (acetaminophen) also helps alleviate fever and pain. Medications for Chronic Bronchitis Medications that treat chronic bronchitis include: Antibiotics: You might require antibiotics if your symptoms flare due to a bacterial infection. Inhaled bronchodilator medicines: Albuterol helps open your airways, making it easier to breathe. Inhaled corticosteroids: These control flares of symptoms by suppressing inflammation of the lungs. Nicotine replacement therapy: This helps you quit smoking. Therapy A healthcare provider may order oxygen therapy if you have chronic bronchitis. You can receive this treatment in a hospital, at a medical facility, or at home. Inhaled oxygen increases the availability of oxygen to your lungs and blood and helps with breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation is another therapy for chronic bronchitis. This therapy combines exercise, education, and support services. You'll work with a team of healthcare providers to increase your strength and endurance, learn breathing techniques, and acquire other skills to manage the disease. Home Remedies These home remedies, in addition to medical treatments, can alleviate bronchitis symptoms: Drink warm water with honey and lemon: Don't give honey to children younger than 1 due to the risk of botulism, a rare type of poisoning. Get plenty of rest: Sleep helps your body replenish its energy to fight off a bacterial or viral infection. Getting plenty of rest also supports immune function. Stay hydrated: This thins out your mucus so it's easy to expel. Suck on a lozenge: These hard candies can soothe a sore throat. Try pursed-lipped breathing: This technique helps control shortness of breath. Breathe in through the nose for two seconds, pucker your lips, and then blow out very slowly. Repeat as needed. Use a humidifier: You can also inhale steam from a bath or shower. These methods loosen mucus and ease wheezing. Both can also ease a child's congestion under a parent's supervision. Prevention You might prevent bronchitis by protecting yourself from germs and irritants that affect the airways and lungs. Prevention measures include: Avoid smoking and smoke-filled environments. Get COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines, which help protect you from viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis. Regularly wash your hands. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you are exposed to air pollution, fumes, smoke, and other irritants. Complications Some people, such as infants, young children, and older adults, are likelier to develop complications from acute bronchitis than others. Complications include pneumonia, respiratory distress, and missed days from school or work. People with chronic bronchitis have a high risk of complications, including worsening lung function and trouble breathing. Chronic bronchitis might damage the mucus lining of the bronchial tubes, worsening a cough. This irritation may lead to inflammation and excess mucus production that clogs the airways. Chronic bronchitis also raises your risk of coronary artery disease. What Is Walking Pneumonia? A Quick Review Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lungs, or the bronchial tubes. This inflammation may be acute or chronic. Contagious viruses typically cause acute bronchitis. Smoking and exposure to environmental irritations are some of the most common causes of chronic bronchitis. Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop bronchitis symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent complications, such as pneumonia. You can treat bronchitis with medications, therapies, and home remedies, depending on what type you have and the cause. Frequently Asked Questions Will bronchitis go away by itself? Acute bronchitis usually clears up within one week, but a cough might last longer. Some people have coughing that lasts up to four weeks.Chronic bronchitis is long-lasting and doesn't go away. You might have periods of remission followed by flares of symptoms. Can bronchitis be contagious? The germs that cause bronchitis are contagious rather than the illness itself. A virus usually causes acute bronchitis. You can spread the virus to other people through hand-holding, kissing, sneezing, talking, touching surfaces, or coughing. Inhaled irritants that cause acute bronchitis are not contagious.Chronic bronchitis is one of the most common reasons for a persistent cough. You usually cannot spread chronic bronchitis to someone else unless you have a current bacterial or viral infection. When should I go to a healthcare provider for bronchitis? Acute bronchitis usually gets better on its own. See a healthcare provider if you have a cough that lasts longer than two to three weeks or worsens, or you have trouble breathing.Other signs to contact a healthcare provider include:Chest painCoughing up bloodHaving an underlying health disease (e.g., heart and lung disease)High fever or chillsLow-grade fever that lasts three or more daysShortness of breathThick, yellowish-green mucus that smells badChronic bronchitis is a long-term health condition that requires ongoing management. Seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or complications develop. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 14 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Chronic bronchitis. MedlinePlus. Acute bronchitis. American Lung Association. 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