Acute Bronchitis

What is Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is when air tubes (bronchi) in the lungs suddenly get swollen. The condition can make it hard to breathe. It can also cause these symptoms:

  • A cough.
  • Coughing up clear, yellow, or green mucus.
  • Wheezing.
  • Chest congestion.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • A fever.
  • Body aches.
  • Chills.
  • A sore throat.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

General instructions

  • Rest.
  • Drink enough fluids to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
  • Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. If you smoke and you need help quitting, ask your doctor. Quitting will help your lungs heal faster.
  • Use an inhaler, cool mist vaporizer, or humidifier as told by your doctor.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

How is this prevented?

To lower your risk of getting this condition again:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid contact with people who have cold symptoms.
  • Try not to touch your hands to your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • Make sure to get the flu shot every year.

Contact a doctor if:

  • Your symptoms do not get better in 2 weeks.

Get help right away if:

  • You cough up blood.
  • You have chest pain.
  • You have very bad shortness of breath.
  • You become dehydrated.
  • You faint (pass out) or keep feeling like you are going to pass out.
  • You keep throwing up (vomiting).
  • You have a very bad headache.
  • Your fever or chills gets worse.
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