Bronchitis is swelling in your air passages (bronchi). Your bronchi are the two large tubes that connect your trachea (windpipe) to your lungs.
When you have bronchitis, your bronchi are swollen and filled with extra sticky mucus. This makes it harder for your to breathe and makes you cough.
Acute bronchitis lasts two to three weeks. It is usually caused by a virus — the same virus that causes the common cold. The virus attacks your airways, which causes redness, swelling and extra mucous production. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection or things that you inhale that can irritate your lungs, like smoke or chemical cleaners.
Chronic bronchitis occurs when you have a cough with mucus on most days for at least three months of the year.
Acute bronchitis usually feels the same as having a cold or other upper respiratory tract infection. You may have a sore throat, runny nose, headache and cough. After a few days, you may cough up extra mucus and/or find it harder to breathe or have a wheezing in your chest. You may also experience a slight fever or aching in your chest or back.
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:
Your symptoms last for more than three weeks
You have trouble breathing when you lie down
You have a high fever
You have chest or shoulder pain
You cough up blood or a bad-tasting mucus
You are short of breath
You have swollen feet
You have had acute bronchitis many times (this could be a sign of a chronic (long-term) lung issue
Treating acute bronchitis
Most of the time, acute bronchitis goes away on its own. Take care of yourself by:
Cutting down or stopping if you smoke. This will allow your lungs to recover much faster.
Avoiding cigarette smoke or other sources of smoke if you don't smoke.
Getting lots of rest.
Drinking lots of clear fluids such as water.
Using a cough drop or a hard candy to help with a dry, sore throat.
Trying to cough up the mucus.
If you get medical treatment, your healthcare provider may prescribe inhaled corticosteroids. These inhalers are the kind that people with asthma use to reduce the swelling in their airways. If your healthcare provider finds that your bronchitis is caused by bacteria, they will prescribe antibiotics.
If you already have a chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD, follow the instructions in your action plan. This may mean taking more of your medicines. Pay close attention to your symptoms and see your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if breathing is difficult.
Preventing acute bronchitis
The best way to prevent bronchitis it to stay away from cigarette smoke.
Don't smoke, and don't go near second-hand smoke. If you smoke, quit. It's not easy, but it's the best thing you can do to slow down the damage in your lungs.
