What is it about ?
Acute bronchitis is a short-term inflammation of the trachea and the mucous membranes of the branches of the airways (bronchi). The infection is usually caused by a virus. There are many viruses that can cause bronchitis, including the flu.
Bronchitis is often accompanied by an infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold or throat infection. As a result of the inflammation, the branches of the airways or bronchi swell and produce a lot of thick mucus.
It is important to distinguish between acute bronchitis and pneumonia. In fact, pneumonia always requires treatment with antibiotics.
What is its frequency?
Bronchitis mainly occurs in winter. It is much more common than pneumonia.
People with a lung condition, such asasthma or the COPD, are more likely to develop bronchitis, as are smokers.
Each year, about 48 out of 1,000 people who see a general practitioner have bronchitis.1 Bronchitis is most often found in young children, namely during 141 consultations out of 1,000 with the general practitioner.
How to recognize it?
The following symptoms occur in acute bronchitis:
- cough productive (main symptom);
- shortness of breath ;
- wheezing ;
- chest pain;
- fever.
Because bronchitis is often accompanied by an infection of the upper respiratory tract, you may also have a sore throat, stuffy nose or the hoarse voice. Other symptoms like headaches, muscle pain and muscle weakness are also common.
Most often, the cough lasts for about two weeks, but some people may have it longer.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will first check if you have any pneumonia. Pneumonia is much less common than acute bronchitis, but the symptoms are more severe, and the treatment is different. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and auscultate your lungs with a stethoscope.
- If the doctor suspects pneumonia, they will do a blood test and give you an x-ray.
- For acute bronchitis, this is usually not necessary. Your doctor will only consider giving you an x-ray if the symptoms last unusually long or if you have an underlying disease.
- A culture of the upper respiratory tract or mucus does not help.
What can you do ?
Acute bronchitis most often resolves spontaneously after two weeks. Cough medicines, such as cough syrup, are not recommended because there is generally no evidence of their effectiveness, although they are known to have many side effects.
- If you smoke, try to stop. By smoking, you are more susceptible to infections, and recovery takes longer.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough.
- Wash your hands regularly to avoid infecting others.
- See a doctor if:
- symptoms worsen or persist;
- your sputum contains blood ;
- you are breathing hard ;
- you have a chronic illness.
What can your doctor do?
In the past, antibiotics were often used in the treatment of acute bronchitis. In the vast majority of cases, however, this is not necessary, as bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections. They are only prescribed if you have a significant risk of pneumonia.
If necessary, the doctor will prescribe medication to relieve the symptoms, eg. ex. nasal spray or inhaler for wheezing.
Contact your doctor again if symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Want to know more?
- Managing cough problems – Grace Network
- Antibiotics do not act against all diseases – BAPCOC – Belgian Commission for the coordination of antibiotic policy
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