Introduction

Bronchitis causes inflammation in the airways that lead to your lungs. When your airways (trachea and bronchi) become irritated, they swell and fill with mucus, which makes you cough. Your cough might last from a few days to a couple of weeks. Coughing stands out as the main sign of bronchitis.

What are the Types of Bronchitis?

The following are the common types of bronchitis:

• Acute bronchitis
• Acute bronchitis has a viral infection as its cause and clears up without help in a few weeks. Most people can recover from acute bronchitis without treatment.
• Chronic bronchitis
• You have chronic bronchitis if you cough up mucus most days of the month for three months of the year. This pattern continues for at least two years.

Symptoms

A cough that lasts for one to three weeks stands out as the main sign of bronchitis. When you cough with bronchitis, you often bring up mucus, but you might have a dry cough instead. You might experience other symptoms such as:

• Trouble breathing (dyspnea)
• Fever
• Whistling or rattling noise while breathing (wheezing)
• Runny nose
• Feeling tired (fatigue)

What Causes Bronchitis?

Viruses are the primary cause of bronchitis. But almost anything that irritates your airways can lead to it. Infectious and non-infectious causes of bronchitis include:

• Viruses: Bronchitis can result from viruses like influenza (the flu), adenovirus, rhinovirus (the common cold), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronavirus.
• Bacteria: Bacterial causes of bronchitis include Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia.
• Toxins in the air
• Smoking cigarettes or marijuana (cannabis)

Diagnosis

No specific tests exist to diagnose bronchitis, but your doctor might run tests to rule out other conditions. These tests may include:

• Nasal swab: Your doctor might put a soft stick into your nose to check for viruses
• Chest X-ray: Your doctor will use a chest X-ray to look for signs of other illnesses that could be causing your symptoms.
• Blood tests: Your doctor perform blood tests to detect infections or assess your overall health.
• Sputum test: Your doctor might ask you to cough and spit into a tube. They'll check your sample for any signs of a virus or bacteria.
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs): If your doctor thinks you have chronic bronchitis, they might use a machine to check how well your lungs work.

Management and Treatment

In some cases, you can take medications to help with symptoms or to address the root cause such as:

• Antiviral medications: If the flu causes your bronchitis, your doctor might prescribe an antiviral drug
• Bronchodilators: Your doctor might prescribe a bronchodilator (a medicine that helps open your airways) if you have trouble breathing.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines: Your doctor might prescribe corticosteroids and other drugs to cut down on swelling.
• Cough suppressants: Over-the-counter or prescription cough suppressants (antitussives) can help with a stubborn cough.
• Antibiotics: You won't get antibiotics for bronchitis unless your doctor thinks you have a bacterial infection.
• COPD/asthma treatment: People with COPD or asthma might need extra meds or breathing help to manage chronic bronchitis. Their doctor decides on this approach.

Prevention

You can cut your chances of getting bronchitis by steering clear of viruses and other things that can irritate your lungs. Here are some specific steps to lower your risk:

• Steer clear of others if you or they might be sick. This rings true in winter when people gather inside.
• Keep away from smoke and other things that can damage your lungs.
• If you have asthma or allergies, stay away from what sets them off (including pets, dust and pollen).
• Use a humidifier. Damp air is less likely to bug your lungs.
• Get lots of sleep.
• Eat good food.
• Clean your hands often with soap and water. If you can't use soap and water, use a hand cleaner with alcohol in it.
• Make sure you're up to date on your flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccinations.