Bronchitis Symptoms

This condition is one of the most common respiratory illnesses. Learn more about bronchitis symptoms, when to see your doctor, and bronchitis treatment.

Bronchitis is a respiratory illness that occurs when the air passages between your nose and lungs, known as bronchi or bronchial tubes, become swollen and inflamed. 

Causes can include a viral or bacterial infection or, in some instances, exposure to chemicals, such as air pollution or pesticides. It can be diagnosed with a chest x-ray, blood test, or lung function test. 

While most cases are mild or temporary, left untreated bronchitis can become severe enough to cause death, especially for the very young or very old.  

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Bronchitis symptoms

As the bronchi in your lungs become inflamed, the air passages swell, making it more difficult for your lungs to move air in and out, which causes difficulty breathing. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, difficulty breathing is the most common symptom of bronchitis.  

Difficulty breathing often appears as a persistent cough that can linger for days, weeks, or even months. The cough frequently causes you to bring up mucous or phlegm. The inflammation may cause a feeling of tightness in your chest and breathlessness, especially with physical activity. You may also hear a squeaky or whistling sound when you breathe, known as wheezing. 

There are two different types of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis. They have different causes, as well as additional symptoms, which may help you and your doctor identify from which type you are suffering.

Symptoms and management of acute bronchitis

An infection in the bronchi causes acute bronchitis. It often follows a cold or flu, when your body’s immune system is already run down from fighting off the first infection. It is incredibly common; the Academy of American Family Physicians has found that acute bronchitis is one of the top 10 conditions for which patients visit a doctor or hospital. 

Acute bronchitis usually causes a cough that lingers even once your initial cold or flu symptoms have cleared up. It can be distinguished from other respiratory infections if your coughing lasts for more than five days. Other acute bronchitis symptoms may include:

• A low fever
• Muscle aches
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Sore ribs from coughing

How to treat bronchitis

ThE infection may be caused by bacteria in your lungs, but more often it is a viral inflammation that will clear up on its own in one to three weeks. Because a virus usually causes acute bronchitis, antibiotics are not an effective form of treatment, although many patients will still ask for them. 

If a viral infection is causing your bronchitis symptoms, antibiotics will not help you recover and could make it more difficult for you to recover from your next bacterial infection. 

Instead of antibiotics, your doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter medications to manage your bronchitis symptoms, such as cough medicine or a throat spray. If your chest feels particularly tight, your doctor may also prescribe an inhaler to help your lungs open.

Symptoms and management of chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a recurring inflammation in the bronchi. You should receive a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis only if you cough up mucous on most days of the month, at least three months of the year, over the course of two years. Chronic bronchitis often includes wheezing and chest discomfort, but it does not include symptoms such as fever or runny nose.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, air pollution, or working around chemicals often cause chronic bronchitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4.2 percent of U.S. adults have been diagnosed. 

The National Institutes of Health recommends that the best way to treat chronic bronchitis is to remove the source of irritation, such as quitting smoking or spending less time in polluted environments. Severe forms of chronic bronchitis may also need treatment with bronchodilators or oxygen therapy to open your lungs and make breathing easier. 

Both acute and chronic bronchitis can develop into more serious respiratory problems, such as pneumonia or emphysema, one of a group of conditions called chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD.

Because of that potential, it is important to see your doctor if you experience any symptoms, particularly a cough that does not go away no matter what you do. 

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