Bronchial infection
| Acute bronchitis | |
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| Synonyms | Chest cold |
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| Figure A shows the location of the lungs and bronchial tubes. Figure B is an enlarged view of a normal bronchial tube. Figure C is an enlarged view of a bronchial tube with bronchitis. | |
| Specialty | Pulmonology |
| Symptoms | Cough with sputum, wheezing, shortness of breath, fever, chest discomfort |
| Duration | Up to 6 weeks |
| Causes | Typically viral infection |
| Risk factors | Tobacco smoke, dust, air pollution |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms |
| Similar conditions | Asthma, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, COPD |
| Prevention | Avoiding air pollution, handwashing |
| Treatment | Rest, paracetamol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs |
| Frequency | ~5% one or more episodes a year |
| Classification |
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| External resources |
Acute bronchitis, also known as a chest cold, is short-term inflammation of the bronchi (large and medium-sized airways) of the lungs. The most common symptom is a cough. Other symptoms include coughing up mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, fever, and chest discomfort. The infection may last from a few to ten days. The cough may persist for several weeks afterward with the total duration of symptoms usually around three weeks. Some have symptoms for up to six weeks.
In more than 90% of cases the cause is a viral infection. These viruses may be spread through the air when people cough or by direct contact. Risk factors include exposure to tobacco smoke, dust, and other air pollution. A small number of cases are due to high levels of air pollution or bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Bordetella pertussis. Diagnosis is typically based on a person's signs and symptom. The color of the sputum does not indicate if the infection is viral or bacterial. Determining the underlying organism is typically not needed. Other causes of similar symptoms include asthma, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, and COPD. A chest X-ray may be useful to detect pneumonia.
Prevention is by not smoking and avoiding other lung irritants. Frequent hand washing may also be protective. Treatment of acute bronchitis typically involves rest, paracetamol (acetaminophen), and NSAIDs to help with the fever.Cough medicine has little support for its use and is not recommended in children less than six years of age.Salbutamol is not effective in children with an acute cough who do not have restricted airways. There is weak evidence that salbutamol may be useful in adults with wheezing due to a restricted airway; however, it may result in nervousness, shakiness or a tremor.Antibiotics should generally not be used. An exception is when acute bronchitis is due to pertussis. Tentative evidence supports honey and pelargonium to help with symptoms.
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