Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on April 08, 2022 A cold can sometimes turn into bronchitis. It's important to know what to expect and when
something more serious is going on. A cough is a common cold symptom. Your lungs may be irritated, or your body might be trying to get rid of phlegm or mucus. But if you’re still coughing after the cold is gone, call
your doctor. Tell them how long you’ve had the cough. Also note whether anything seems to make it worse, any other unusual feelings, and whether you cough up mucus. A new cough, fever, or shortness of breath could be a sign of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. Call your doctor to talk about your symptoms and whether you need to come into the office. Go to the doctor if you’re coughing up thick green or yellow phlegm or if you’re wheezing, running a fever higher than 101 F, having night sweats, or coughing up blood. These may be signs of a more serious illness that needs treatment. A
long-lasting cough may be a sign of asthma. Sometimes, doctors call this "cough-variant asthma." Triggers include respiratory infections like a cold or flu, dust, cold air, exercise, and allergens. Asthma may be responsible for up to 25% of all long-term coughs. See More: A Visual
Guide to Bronchitis Bronchitis happens when the airways in your lungs are inflamed and make too much mucus. There are two basic types of bronchitis: Symptoms of bronchitis include: See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: If you have bronchitis, you should:
If you have a dry cough with little to no mucus, your doctor may prescribe cough medicine. They may also recommend an expectorant to help loosen mucus so you can cough it up more easily. Because viruses cause most cases of bronchitis, antibiotics usually don’t help. But you might take them if you have a bacterial infection or if you have other lung problems. How Can I Avoid Getting Bronchitis?
What is acute bronchitis?Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These airways are called bronchi. This inflammation causes increased mucus production and other changes. Although there are several different types of bronchitis, the most common are acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis may also be called a chest cold. Most symptoms of acute bronchitis last for up to 2 weeks. The cough can last for up to 8 weeks in some people. Chronic bronchitis lasts a long time. It is more common among smokers. What causes acute bronchitis?Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. This is most often the same viruses that cause colds and the flu. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection, or by physical or chemical agents that are breathed in. These may include dusts, allergens, and strong fumes, including those from chemical cleaning compounds or tobacco smoke. Acute bronchitis may come after a common cold or other viral infections in the upper respiratory tract. It may also occur in people with chronic sinusitis, allergies, or those with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. It can be serious in people with lung or heart diseases. Pneumonia is a complication that can follow bronchitis. What are the symptoms acute bronchitis?The following are the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of acute bronchitis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is acute bronchitis diagnosed?Healthcare providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
How is acute bronchitis treated?Acute bronchitis is usually mild and does not cause complications. The symptoms often resolve on their own and lung function goes back to normal. In most cases, antibiotics are not needed to treat acute bronchitis. That’s because most of the infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. If it has progressed to pneumonia, then antibiotics may be necessary. Treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms, and may include:
Avoid antihistamines because they dry up the secretions and can make the cough worse. What are the complications of acute bronchitis?Acute bronchitis can worsen and progress to chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. If this happens, a different treatment may be necessary. Can bronchitis be prevented?Acute bronchitis can’t always be prevented. However, there are shots you can get to prevent its complications, such as pneumonia. Check with your healthcare provider about getting the flu and pneumococcal shots. Getting a flu shot every year can help prevent both the flu and pneumonia. The pneumococcal shot can protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia. Anyone can get pneumococcal disease. However, children younger than age 2, adults ages 65 and older, people with certain medical conditions, and smokers are at the highest risk. When should I call my health care provider?Most often, bronchitis resolves on its own. If your symptoms worsen or don’t get better over time, call your healthcare provider. Key points
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Is it normal to have a mucus cough for 2 weeks?Two-plus weeks of coughing is quite common in most cases of viral respiratory infections such as mine, says Matthew Mintz, an internist with George Washington Medical Faculty Associates. The average duration of cough, according to a recent study, is 18 days. If you think that seems like a long time, you're not alone.
Do you need antibiotics if your coughing up phlegm?Avoid cough medicines, as there's little evidence they work, and coughing actually helps you clear the infection more quickly by getting rid of the phlegm from your lungs. Antibiotics aren't recommended for many chest infections, because they only work if the infection is caused by bacteria, rather than a virus.
What does a sore throat and coughing up mucus mean?Cough and excess mucus production are common symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. These illnesses will typically also cause: sore throat. runny nose.
Does coughing up mucus mean your getting better?However, if you have other respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia with COVID-19, you may have a wet cough that contains mucus. Does coughing up mucus mean you're getting better? In most cases, coughing up mucus means your body is working to fight off an infection, and it is in the healing stages.
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