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Bronchitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Inflammation - bronchi

Treatment:

For acute bronchitis caused by a virus, you DO NOT need antibiotics. The infection will generally clear on its own within one week. Take the following steps for some relief:

• Take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have a fever. DO NOT give aspirin to children .
• Rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Use a humidifier or steam in the bathroom.
• DO NOT smoke.

If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways. If your doctor thinks that you have a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed.

For chronic bronchitis, the most important step you can take is to QUIT smoking. If caught early enough, you can reverse the damage to your lungs. Other important steps include:

• Limit your exposure to pollutants and other lung irritants.
• Get a flu vaccine each year and a pneumococcal vaccine as directed by your doctor.
• Attend a respiratory training program that includes physical activity and breathing exercises. Your doctor can recommend a medically appropriate and well-supervised program. If it is early in your disease process, you can likely exercise on your own; talk to your doctor about safety.

Your doctor will usually prescribe inhaled medicines for chronic bronchitis. These drugs, which include bronchodilators like albuterol and ipratropium, open your constricted airways and aid in the clearance of mucus. An oral bronchodilator called theophylline and steroids (either inhaled or by mouth) are often necessary as well. If you have an active infection, your doctor will put you on antibiotics and sometimes recommend regular antibiotics to prevent infection.

If you have low oxygen levels, home oxygen will be used.

Expectations (prognosis):

For acute bronchitis, symptoms usually resolve within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying lung disorder. However, a dry, hacking cough can linger for a number of months.

The chance for recovery is poor for people with advanced chronic bronchitis. Early recognition and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, significantly improve the chance of a good outcome.

Complications:

Pneumonia can develop from either acute or chronic bronchitis. If you have chronic bronchitis, you are susceptible to recurrent respiratory infections. You may also develop:

• Right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary hypertension

Calling your health care provider:

Call your doctor if:

• You are coughing up blood.
• You have a high fever or shaking chills.
• You have a low-grade fever for three or more days.
• You have thick, greenish mucus, especially if it has a bad smell.
• You feel short of breath or have chest pain.
• You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart or lung disease.
• You have a cough most days of the month or you have a frequently recurring cough.

References:

Murray JF, Nadel JA. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2000; 1215-1216.

Macfarlane J, Holmes W, Gard P, Thornhill D, Macfarlane R, Hubbard R. Providing patient information reduces antibiotic use in acute bronchitis. Evidence-based Healthcare. 2002; 6(3): 130.

Radon K. Passive smoke exposure: a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and asthma in adults? Chest . 2002; 122(3): 1086-1090.

GOLD Scientific Committee. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: GOLD Executive Summary updated 2006.

• Review Date: 8/3/2007
• Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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