Bronchitis: Symptoms, Treatment & Quick Care Tips

Bronchitis happens when the airways that carry air to your lungs get inflamed and make extra mucus. You can get a cough that lasts days or weeks, wheeze, feel tight in the chest, and have trouble breathing. Acute bronchitis often follows a cold or the flu. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition usually caused by smoking or long exposure to air pollution.

Most people with acute bronchitis feel better in one to three weeks. You don't always need antibiotics because viruses cause most cases. Antibiotics help only if a doctor suspects a bacterial infection. If you have chronic bronchitis, your symptoms come back often and may need ongoing treatment from a healthcare provider.

Start home care early to feel better faster. Rest and drink plenty of fluids to keep mucus thin. Use a humidifier or breathe warm steam to loosen phlegm. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen will reduce fever and discomfort. For a coughing fit at night try a small drink of warm tea with honey — but never give honey to infants under one year.

If you smoke, quitting helps more than any medicine. Avoid smoky and dusty places, and wear a mask if you must be around fumes. Get your yearly flu vaccine and stay up-to-date on pneumonia shots when your doctor recommends them. Washing hands often and avoiding close contact with sick people cuts the chance you’ll catch a virus.

When should you see a doctor? Call if you have a high fever over 102°F (39°C), cough up blood, have severe shortness of breath, or your symptoms get worse after a week. Also see a doctor if you have heart disease, asthma, COPD, or a weakened immune system — bronchitis can hit harder in those cases. A clinician will check your breathing, listen to your lungs, and may order an X-ray or tests to rule out pneumonia.

Treatment options a doctor might offer include bronchodilator inhalers to open airways, inhaled steroids for severe inflammation, and antibiotics only when needed. For chronic bronchitis, pulmonary rehab, long-acting inhalers, and lifestyle changes like exercise and quitting smoking are common parts of care. Your provider can help create a plan that fits your life.

Simple steps at home help daily life: sit propped up to sleep, use saline nasal spray if your nose is stuffed, and pace activities that make you breathless. Track symptoms and note when coughs get worse or change in color. If you use any inhalers or oxygen, follow instructions exactly.

Bronchitis is common and treatable. With good self-care, the right vaccines, and medical help when needed, most people recover or manage symptoms well. If you’re unsure what’s best, call your clinic — a quick check can save slow recovery or complications.

Children, older adults, and people with lung disease need extra care. For kids, watch feeding and breathing and seek prompt help for fast breathing or poor feeding. Improve indoor air by using HEPA filters, avoiding sprays, and keeping rooms smoke-free to lower flare-ups and speed healing.