Acute bronchitis is inflammation that happens in the breathing tubes called the bronchi.
The bronchi carry the air to your lungs, so you’ve got the option to breathe.
Another name for acute bronchitis is a chest cold.
Mallika Wiriyathitipirn / EyeEm / Getty Images
Sometimes, bacteria can cause this condition.
Acute bronchitis often occurs after you have the common cold or flu.
It can also happen after an upper respiratory infection.
In other cases, breathing in toxic or chemical compounds can lead to bronchitis.
They will do a physical exam and may order additional tests.
You may need a chest X-ray to rule out the possibility of another condition causing your symptoms.
Treatment
If your bronchitis is triggered by bacteria, you may receive antibiotics.
However, your healthcare provider will not prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection.
However, most people have symptoms for about two weeks.
It is also possible for the cough to last up to eight weeks.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have these medical conditions, as you may need additional treatment.
In rare cases, complications such aspneumoniaoccur after bronchitis.
Reach out to friends and family if possible for additional support.
Bronchitis can make it more difficult to breathe, so you want to avoid smoking or smoky environments.
Using a humidifier or breathing in steam from a hot bowl of water can help.
Another option is to take hot showers with steam.
A practitioner can also determine if there are complications from bronchitis that require additional treatment.
Your medical professional can determine what you have by ordering tests like chest X-rays.
It is important to discuss any concerns you have about the diagnosis or treatment process.
Although it is more common in children, adults at any age can have this condition.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acute bronchitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis) basics.
American Lung Association.Bronchitis (acute).
