Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Acute bronchitis: Is it contagious? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references What is bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Accessed Jan. Goldman L, et al. Acute bronchitis and tracheitis. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Bronchitis chest cold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ferri FF. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Chronic cough. Symptoms of acute bronchitis The symptoms of acute bronchitis can include: Chest congestion or tightness Cough that brings up clear, yellow, or green mucus Shortness of breath Wheezing Sore throat Fever Chills Body aches Your cough can last for several weeks or more.
What causes acute bronchitis? Lesser-known causes of acute bronchitis are: Bacteria or fungal infections. Exposure to irritants, such as smoke, dust, or fumes.
You are at greater risk if your bronchial tubes already have damage. GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease , which causes heartburn. You can get acute bronchitis when stomach acid gets into the bronchial tubes. How is acute bronchitis diagnosed? Can acute bronchitis be prevented or avoided? Other steps you can take to avoid acute bronchitis include: Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when using lung irritants.
These could include paint, paint remover, or varnish. Get a flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you should get a pneumonia shot, especially if you are over age Acute bronchitis treatment Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by a virus. Home treatment focuses on easing the symptoms: Drink fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Get plenty of rest.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and lower your fever. These could include acetaminophen 1 brand name: Tylenol or ibuprofen 1 brand name: Advil.
Never give aspirin to a child. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, which can affect the liver and brain. Increase the humidity in your home or use a humidifier. Living with acute bronchitis Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. You should call your doctor if: You continue to wheeze and cough for more than 2 weeks, especially at night when you lie down or when you are active.
You continue to cough for more than 2 weeks and have a bad-tasting fluid come up into your mouth. This may mean you have GERD. This is a condition in which stomach acid gets into your esophagus.
Your cough produces blood, you feel weak, you have an ongoing high fever, and you are short of breath. A GP may need to rule out other lung infections, such as pneumonia, which has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. If they think you may have pneumonia, you'll probably need a chest X-ray and a sample of mucus may be taken for testing. If a GP thinks you might have an underlying condition, they may also suggest that you have a lung function test. You'll be asked to take a deep breath and blow into a device called a spirometer , which measures the volume of air in your lungs.
The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. These droplets typically spread about 1m. They hang suspended in the air for a while, then land on surfaces, where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours. Bronchitis can also be triggered by breathing in irritant substances, such as smog, chemicals in household products or tobacco smoke. Smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis.
It can affect people who inhale secondhand smoke, as well as those who smoke themselves. People with chronic bronchitis often develop another smoking-related lung disease called emphysema, where the air sacs inside the lungs become damaged, causing shortness of breath.
If you smoke, try to stop straight away as smoking aggravates bronchitis and increases your risk of developing emphysema. Stopping smoking while you have bronchitis can also be the perfect opportunity to quit altogether.
Find out more about stop smoking treatments. For You Children Patient Handouts. What is chronic bronchitis? What causes chronic bronchitis?
Who is at risk for chronic bronchitis? The risk factors for chronic bronchitis include Smoking. This the main risk factor. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants , such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes and dusts from the environment or workplace.
Most people who have chronic bronchitis are at least 40 years old when their symptoms begin. This includes alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which is a genetic condition. Also, smokers who get chronic bronchitis are more likely to get it if they have a family history of COPD. What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis? They can include Frequent coughing or a cough that produces a lot mucus Wheezing A whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity Tightness in your chest Some people with chronic bronchitis get frequent respiratory infections such as colds and the flu.
How is chronic bronchitis diagnosed? Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis: A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms A family history Various tests, such as lung function tests , a chest x-ray or CT scan , and blood tests What are the treatments for chronic bronchitis?
Treatments include Lifestyle changes , such as Quitting smoking if you are a smoker. This is the most important step you can take to treat chronic bronchitis. Avoiding secondhand smoke and places where you might breathe in other lung irritants Ask your health care provider for an eating plan that will meet your nutritional needs.
Also ask about how much physical activity you can do.
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