Bronchitis

What are bronchitis symptoms?

Symptoms of bronchitis include:

A cough that is frequent and produces mucus
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Slight fever and chills
Chest discomfort

Acute bronchitis vs. Chronic bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.

Acute bronchitis is very common, often developing from a cold or other respiratory infection. It’s also known as a chest cold, and usually improves within a week to 10 days without lasting effects, although the cough may linger for weeks. Acute bronchitis usually causes cold symptoms, such as a mild headache or body aches, and can sometimes cause a cough that can linger for several weeks.

Chronic bronchitis is a more serious condition, and is a constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often due to smoking. This is often defined as a productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring for at least two consecutive years.

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Should I see a doctor if I have bronchitis?

Most cases of acute bronchitis get better without treatment, usually within a couple of weeks. Because most cases of bronchitis are caused by viral infections, antibiotics aren’t effective. However, if your doctor suspects that you have a bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic. Your doctor may also recommend other medications for bronchitis treatment, such as cough medicines to help suppress a cough. We recommend making an appointment with a doctor if you believe you have bronchitis, or if your cough:

Lasts more than 5 days
Prevents you from sleeping
Is accompanied by a fever higher than 100.4 F
Produces discolored mucus
Produces blood
Is associated with wheezing or shortness of breath

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Can bronchitis be treated via telehealth?

Yes, most cases of bronchitis can be treated very effectively through telehealth. If you’re having significant difficulty breathing, or other symptoms, your doctor may order a chest x-ray, which can be ordered through telehealth. It is helpful if you have a fingertip pulse oximeter at home, this will give the doctor more information about your oxygen saturation in your blood.

What are the differences in symptoms between bronchitis and COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, body aches, and a sore throat. It can be easy to mistake symptoms of a cold, the flu, or bronchitis for COVID-19, and is especially tricky because the symptoms of COVID-19 can be mild. We recommend taking a COVID test to determine if your symptoms are related to the virus.

How can I get a COVID test?

We are happy to order a covid test for you, which will be done at any local Quest patient service center or another location of your choice.

Prevention & Avoidance

Acute bronchitis can be contagious because it is usually caused by infection with a virus or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis is not likely contagious because it is a condition usually caused by long-term irritation of airways.

To reduce your risk of bronchitis:

Avoid cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke increases your risk of chronic bronchitis.
Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of catching a viral infection, wash your hands frequently and get in the habit of using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Get vaccinated. Many cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza, a virus. Getting a yearly flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu, and you may want to consider vaccination that protects against some types of pneumonia. Determining whether a vaccine is moral or necessary can be tough, and our doctors are dedicated to promoting Catholic teaching and protecting unborn human life in their push for or against vaccinations. Make an appointment to speak with one of our physicians if you are considering a vaccine and desire a Catholic approach.

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