Bronchitis
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is when the large airways of the lungs (called bronchi) become infected. This can cause them to become irritated, swollen and inflamed. When you have bronchitis, it’s common to have a cough that produces mucous (phlegm).
Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.
Types of bronchitis
Acute bronchitis usually improves within a week to 10 days, although a cough may last for several weeks. Acute bronchitis is very common and is usually caused by a virus. It’s the type most people think of when talking about bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis is when you have a cough with mucous most days of the month, for three months out of the year, for two years in a row. Repeated bouts of bronchitis may also be classified as chronic. Chronic bronchitis is a serious condition and can be a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Bronchitis symptoms
Typical symptoms of bronchitis include:
coughing — either a dry cough or a cough that produces mucous
wheezing
shortness of breath
pain in the chest due to frequent coughing
slight fever
blocked or runny nose
headaches
body aches and pains
fatigue.
What causes bronchitis?
Most of the time, bronchitis is caused by a virus. While bronchitis itself isn’t contagious, viruses that lead to bronchitis can spread to other people. Common respiratory viruses are responsible for over 90% of acute bronchitis cases. If your bronchitis is caused by a virus you can be contagious for a few days to a week.
Bronchitis can also be caused by bacteria, smoking, air pollution, dust, chemicals and other irritants that affect the bronchi. People who are at a higher risk of developing bronchitis include those who:
smoke or live with a smoker
have a lung condition such as asthma
have a compromised immune system
are exposed to irritants in their workplace
have gastric reflux
have not been immunised against influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease or whooping cough.
Is bronchitis dangerous?
A single episode of bronchitis may sometimes not be extremely serious. However, repeated bouts may be a sign that you have COPD, which can put you at higher risk of heart disease, lung cancer and other conditions.
Sometimes the bronchitis infection can spread further into the lungs and cause pneumonia. This is when the air sacs in the lungs fill up with pus and fluid, making it more difficult for you to breathe. Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, but sometimes treatment in hospital is needed. You are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia if you:
are older
smoke
have other conditions (e.g. heart, liver or kidney disease)
have a weakened immune system.
Diagnosing bronchitis
Your doctor will usually diagnose acute bronchitis by asking about your symptoms and performing a physical examination. This will involve listening to your breathing using a stethoscope. Your doctor may also take a nose or throat swab to determine the cause of your infection through PCR testing.
If your doctor suspects you have chronic bronchitis, you might be sent for further tests, which may include8:
spirometry test (breathing test) to check your breathing function
medical imaging of your chest, such as a chest x-ray or CT chest scan
arterial blood gas analysis to measure how well your lungs bring in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
Bronchitis treatment
Acute bronchitis
Treatment for acute bronchitis usually involves bed-rest, drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and taking regular over-the-counter pain-relief medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Your Pharmacist can advise you which products are suitable, including products that can assist in managing other symptoms. Antibiotics won’t help bronchitis that is caused by a virus. However, they may be prescribed if you have a bacterial infection.
You can also:
Use cough medicine to relieve symptoms of coughing. Speak to your Pharmacist about the product most suitable for you, as not all cough mixtures are suitable or will help relieve your symptoms.
Prop yourself up with a few pillows at night to make sleeping easier
Mix a teaspoon of honey in warm water to help relieve your cough. (Don’t give honey to anyone under 12 months of age).
Use a humidifier to help relieve your cough and loosen mucous.
Avoid cigarette smoke and other irritants.
Chronic bronchitis
Unfortunately, there is no cure for chronic bronchitis. Treatment aims to manage and slow the progression of symptoms, and reduce the risk of flare-ups. You may be prescribed medicines to open up the airways or reduce inflammation so you can breathe easier. You may also be given a ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’ exercise program to help improve your breathing function.
The most important thing you can do if you have chronic bronchitis is to quit smoking. Other things you can do include:
getting regular exercise
eating a healthy diet
staying up-to-date with your immunisations, especially influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines.
When should you see your doctor?
Cases of acute bronchitis will usually get better on their own with rest and time. However, you should visit your doctor if you (or your child):
are very unwell
are not getting better
have a high fever
have trouble breathing
your symptoms are getting worse
your cough lasts more than two to three weeks
suspect you may have bronchitis.
Can you prevent bronchitis?
To reduce the spread of viruses that can cause bronchitis, practice good hand hygiene, including:
staying home when you’re unwell
covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
washing your hands regularly
wearing a properly fitted face mask when you’re sick.
You should also quit smoking and reduce your exposure to irritants that may aggravate bronchitis. Talk to your MediADVICE Pharmacist about helping to support you on your smoking cessation journey.
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is available to help you manage your health. We can provide advice on medication and other products that can help you manage a range of health conditions, including bronchitis. We can also refer you to a doctor if necessary.
Find your nearest store
1AustralianCommission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, Acute bronchitis: should I take antibiotics?,https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/acute-bronchitis-should-i-take-antibiotics
2MyDr, Bronchitis, https://mydr.com.au/respiratory-health/bronchitis/
3 Healthdirect, bronchitis,https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bronchitis
4 Acute Bronchitis: Therapeutic Guidelines. Therapeutic Guideliens Limited. Published April 2019. Updated August 2022. Accessed on Wednesday 28th June 2023 fromhttps://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/viewTopic?etgAccess=true&guidelinePage=Antibiotic&topicfile=acute-bronchitis&guidelinename=Antibiotic§ionId=toc_d1e62#toc_d1e62
5 NSW Health, Respiratory viruses, https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/respiratory-viruses.aspx
6 Lung Foundation Australia, Acute Bronchitis,https://lungfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Factsheet-Acute-Bronchitis-Aug2018.pdf
7 RACGP, National guide to a preventative health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Chapter 9: Respiratory health, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/national-guide/chapter-9-respiratory-health/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease#
8 Lung Foundation Australia, Diagnosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,https://lungfoundation.com.au/patients-carers/living-with-a-lung-disease/copd/diagnosis/
General advice only – this information should not replace the information provided to you by your health care professional. If symptoms are severe or persist, please speak to your health care professional. Information current as of date of publishing.