How long can you expect to have bronchitis? (2023)

FAQs

What are the stages of bronchitis? ›

Symptoms of acute bronchitis typically start with a runny nose, sore throat, productive cough, and low-grade fever. Three or four days later, a dry, hacking cough may develop. Most cases of acute bronchitis last between three and 10 days.

If you have acute bronchitis that's getting worse, you could have an infection that requires antibiotics. Most cases of bronchitis clear up on their own, but not all of them. if you have any underlying health conditions, you're at a higher risk to have bronchitis that can't go away on it's own.

Acute bronchitis can last for up to 90 days. Chronic bronchitis can last for months or sometimes years. If chronic bronchitis decreases the amount of air flowing to the lungs, it is considered to be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Albuterol is one of the more common bronchodilators prescribed for treating bronchitis. It comes in the from of an inhaler. Steroids: If chronic bronchitis symptoms are stable or slowly getting worse, inhaled steroids, can be used to help minimize bronchial tube inflammation.

A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.

Bronchitis itself isn't contagious, but some of its causes are. If your bronchitis is caused by a virus, you can be contagious for a few days to a week. If your bronchitis is caused by bacteria, you usually stop being contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Other causes of bronchitis aren't contagious.

In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu. The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. These droplets typically spread about 1m (3ft).

You will know you are turning a corner when your chest congestion loosens and you have more energy. Your cough will likely be more productive and may sound worse, but you will start to feel better. How do you know if bronchitis is turning into pneumonia? Bronchitis can worsen and become pneumonia.

How do you know if bronchitis is turning into pneumonia? ›

If bronchitis becomes pneumonia, a person's symptoms usually worsen. They will have a cough with mucus and a fever. If a doctor cannot diagnose pneumonia based on the person's symptoms, they may suggest a chest X-ray or blood test.

Air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust also can make chronic bronchitis worse. Get an influenza (flu) vaccine every year. This may keep the flu from turning into something more serious, like pneumonia. A flu vaccine also may lower your chances of having a flare-up.

Treatment. Acute bronchitis usually gets better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won't help you get better if you have acute bronchitis. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm.

“If you persistently cough up frank, red blood, you should seek medical advice. Fever higher than 102°F, a fever that lasts more than a few days, shortness of breath, a change in the mucus color or coughing with unexplained weight loss are all also signs you should see a physician,” Dr. Supakul says.

Lie on your side with a pillow between your legs and your head elevated with pillows. Keep your back straight. Lie on your back with your head elevated and your knees bent, with a pillow under your knees.

Your cough can last for several weeks or more. This happens because the bronchial tubes take a while to heal. A lasting cough may signal another problem, such as asthma or pneumonia.

Acute Bronchitis

It's usually caused by the same viruses that cause colds and the flu. But it can also be a symptom of COVID-19. Coronaviruses and other viruses that affect your respiratory system can cause bronchitis. This can sometimes lead to pneumonia, an infection of the tiny air sacs in your lungs.

Dr. Supakul says acute bronchitis symptoms usually get better in about a week, although the cough can last for many weeks afterward. While uncomfortable, the coughing is actually a good response. It helps clear much mucus from the air tubes.

The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough. This is usually a dry cough at first, but it may later develop into a phlegmy cough, where you cough up mucus (sputum). Doctors call this a "productive" cough.

What is the most obvious symptom of bronchitis? ›

Signs and symptoms

The most obvious symptom of acute bronchitis is a short-term dry hacking cough, which can become a productive cough that produces white or yellow sputum. Wheezing and shortness of breath may also be present.

You may have pain in your muscles, or pain in your lungs when you take a deep breath with both types of bronchitis, especially if you are coughing really hard, for long periods of time.

How to diagnose bronchitis. First, we perform a physical examination and take your medical history. Next, we may order a chest x-ray or a lung test that tests the capacity, health, and function of your lungs.

If the bronchitis was caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. You are no longer considered contagious after 48 hours of taking antibiotics. Sometimes, people with asthma develop acute bronchitis, which is a result of a complication of a preexisting condition—it is not contagious.

Frequently Asked Questions. Should you stay home from work or school with bronchitis? Yes. You should stay home for a few days so you can get rest and prevent others from getting sick.

Yes. Most of the time, acute bronchitis is caused by a virus, such as the flu (influenza) virus. However, many different viruses — all of which are very contagious — can cause acute bronchitis.

With chronic bronchitis, the condition is much more serious, ongoing (long-term), and results in the bronchial tubes being constantly inflamed and irritated. Long term lung damage or disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can develop if chronic bronchitis is left untreated.

You will know you are turning a corner when your chest congestion loosens and you have more energy. Your cough will likely be more productive and may sound worse, but you will start to feel better. How do you know if bronchitis is turning into pneumonia? Bronchitis can worsen and become pneumonia.

Most cases of bronchitis can be treated easily at home with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and plenty of fluids. You only need to see your GP if your symptoms are severe or unusual – for example, if: your cough is severe or lasts longer than three weeks.

How do you know if bronchitis turns into pneumonia? ›

If bronchitis becomes pneumonia, a person's symptoms usually worsen. They will have a cough with mucus and a fever. If a doctor cannot diagnose pneumonia based on the person's symptoms, they may suggest a chest X-ray or blood test.

Chronic bronchitis symptoms appear gradually and usually worsen over time. Acute bronchitis may also cause a low grade fever. People with chronic bronchitis may also have frequent respiratory infections and shortness of breath.

If you have chronic bronchitis, your cough generally lasts longer than six weeks because the airways are repeatedly irritated by one or more of the causes listed above, especially tobacco smoke. In addition to persistent coughing, you may have these symptoms: Tightness in your chest. Mucus when you cough.

Most cases of bronchitis go away on their own. The infection simply has to run its course over several weeks. Treatment options your doctor may suggest are: Resting and getting plenty of fluids.

In addition to lab tests, sputum or mucus from a cough can be visually examined to determine whether bronchitis is viral, bacterial, or both. Clear or white mucus often indicates a viral infection, while yellow or green mucus may suggest a bacterial infection.

Bronchitis often clears up within a week or so, but the cough can stick around for weeks, or even months later, especially if you have a lung problem. While you're sick, call your doctor if you start to run a high fever, you feel short of breath or have chest pain, or your cough just won't go away.

If you have symptoms of bronchitis, stay home to avoid spreading your viral infection to others. To properly treat your acute bronchitis, get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) to treat your symptoms.

Bronchitis doesn't cause COVID-19 or make you more likely to get it. But if you have chronic bronchitis or other health problems, you're more likely to get very sick if you do catch COVID-19. (Many conditions put people at higher risk with COVID-19.)

Most often, the same viruses that give you a cold or the flu cause acute bronchitis. But sometimes, bacteria bring it on. In both cases, as your body fights the germs, your bronchial tubes swell and make more mucus. That means you have smaller openings for air to flow through, which can make it harder to breathe.